TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 16, 2021 – The University of South Florida women's soccer team came back from two different one goal deficits in the final 10 minutes and scored the golden-goal in overtime to earn a 3-2 victory in the conference opener against East Carolina.
Three different goal-scorers helped USF on its path to victory, while the Bulls' offense recorded a total of eight points in the game. Between both teams, four goals were scored in the last 13:41 of game time.
East Carolina struck early, with Haley McWhirter scoring on a chip shot from 35 yards out. The Pirates would take that 1-0 lead into the locker room and nearly held it to the end of the game.
Lucy Roberts (Cheshire, England) had other ideas. After a rebound on a shot attempt was headed away by an ECU defender, Roberts found the top corner of the far post to put USF back in the game.
The Pirates quickly pushed back. Tori Riggs scored on another goal from distance to give East Carolina back the lead with just over three minutes to go.
The Bulls would not back down, however.
Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) received a pass and fought through two Pirate defenders and sunk her down shot from distance to tie the game with less than two minutes on the clock.
After posting 23 shots in the second half and heading to overtime tied at 2-2, South Florida didn't let off the gas. Less than four minutes into the extra period,
Chyanne Dennis (Sunrise, Fla.) sent a ball into the penalty box, which was redirected into the front of the net by Emilee Laijmiri (Odense, Denmark).
Chloe Zamiela (Stuart, Fla.) found the ball and headed it past the ECU keeper for the sudden-death victory.
Notables
- USF outshot East Carolina, 29-5, including a 21-3 mark in the second half.
- On the season, the Bulls have a 166-52 shot advantage.
- Five Bulls played all 94 minutes in the game.
Up Next
The Bulls play a pair of matches on the road, starting with the nonconference finale against FGCU on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 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-
