TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2021 – The University of South Florida women's soccer team earned its fifth overtime win of the season in a 1-0 decision at Memphis on Sunday afternoon. The Bulls (9-3-2) reclaimed the first-place spot in the conference standings with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points in league play.
 
Sydney Martinez (Rincon, Ga.) recorded her fourth shutout of the season with six saves in 105 minutes of play. Katie Kitching (Bedale, England) scored the game-winner for the Bulls in the second extra time period.
 
In the first half, the teams seemed evenly matched. While Memphis had a 4-3 advantage in shots, USF lead in shots on goal, 3-2.
 
Memphis' attack tried to force a decision in regulation. The Tigers stepped up their offensive efforts, outshooting the Bulls, 11-7, in the second frame, but Martinez made four saves to force USF's seventh overtime session this season.
 
South Florida's offense took over in overtime. In the first extra period, the Bulls took three shots while ceding none and continued the surge in the second OT frame. After a shot from Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) was blocked, the deflection found its way to Kitching who chipped it into the net over the Memphis keeper to seal the 1-0 win.
 
Notables

• USF moved back into first place in the conference standings with 13 points. Memphis, who has 12 points, has a game in hand over the Bulls with three games remaining on their schedule.
• Five players for the Bulls played all 105 minutes in the game.
• While shot attempts in the game were tied at 15-15, USF out-shot Memphis in attempts on goal, 8-6.   

 
Up Next
USF returns to Corbett for its home finale and penultimate game of the season on Thursday. Cincinnati visits Tampa for a conference game starting at 7 p.m on Oct. 21.
 
About USF Women's Soccer
Be sure to follow USF women's soccer on social media (Twitter / Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 
 
The USF women's soccer team has posted eight consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and nine in the last 10 years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. South Florida has won four consecutive conference championships, earning the tournament title in 2017, 2019 and 2020 as well as the regular-season title in 2018 and 2020. The program had its first draft pick and second-highest pick in USF Athletics history with Evelyne Viens being taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft by Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC.

-#GoBulls-