TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2021 – An eventful game came to a thrilling conclusion as the University of South Florida women's soccer team used two late goals to fuel a comeback, 2-1 victory against the Kentucky Wildcats.
 
Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) scored a goal in her third consecutive game and tallied an assist for three points in the contest. Vivianne Bessette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) scored the game-winner to push USF to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 against the SEC.
 
USF had scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. Nasello drew a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick opportunity, but the Wildcats' Laura Nielsen made a diving stop to keep the Bulls off the board. Ultimately, Kentucky opened the scoring in the game, with Sara Makoben-Blessing netting the opener in the 42^nd minute.
 
Coming out of the break down by one, the Bulls increased their offensive push in the second half. After nearly 35 minutes of pressure, South Florida finally broke through in the 81^st minute. Nasello netted her third goal of the season off assists from Kendall Lincoln (Stephens City, Va.) and Maya Alicea (Parkland, Fla.) to tie the game.
 
USF completed the comeback victory about four minutes later. Bessette scored her first goal of the season on a set-piece corner kick by Nasello to give USF the 2-1 win.
 
Notables

• USF has not lost back-to-back games since the 2017 season, when it dropped consecutive contests to No. 4 UNC (a 4-2 loss on Aug. 27 at home) and Ohio State (a 6-2 loss on Sept. 3 in Ohio).
• The Bulls posted 20 or more shots in its third game this season. The only game where South Florida hasn't recorded 20 shots was on Aug. 26 against LSU where it tallied 11.
• Chyanne Dennis (Sunrise, Fla.) was assessed a red card in the 52^nd minute for a foul on a clear goal-scoring opportunity outside of the penalty box. As a result, she will not be eligible to play in USF's next game against Tennessee.

 
Up Next
The Bulls remain at home for a Thursday, Sept. 2 game against Tennessee. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
 
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-