TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 2, 2021 – The University of South Florida women's soccer team couldn't overcome two late goals from No. 22 Tennessee, dropping a 2-0 contest on a rainy Thursday night at Corbett Stadium.
 
Sydney Martinez (Rincon, Ga.) made eight saves in net, the most since she made 10 saves against Memphis on Oct. 14, 2018. Sydny Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) took five shots with one going on net to lead USF's (3-2-0) offense in the game.
 
Both teams battled throughout the first half. Martinez made six of her eight saves in the first half, while Nasello and Paula Leblic (Madrid, Spain) both struck the woodwork in the frame.
 
Emerging from halftime still tied at zero, the struggle to get on the board first continued into the second half. USF took nine shots in the second half, however only two went on net.
 
Ultimately, Tennessee (5-0-0) opened the scoring in the 74^th minute, with Brooke Wilson finding the back of the net off an assist from Jordan Fusco. The Lady Vols would add an insurance goal just over eight minutes later off the foot of Mackenzie George, securing a 2-0 victory.
 
Notables

• USF outshot Tennessee 18-14 in the game. It was the first time Tennessee had been outshot in its five games so far this season, and marked the fourth time USF had tallied more shots than its opponents.
• Martinez's eight saves are the second-most she's made in a single game in her career.
• The Bulls finished 2-2 against its SEC nonconference schedule, losing to a now-ranked LSU team and a No. 22 Tennessee team.

 
Up Next
USF finishes its season-opening home slate on Sept. 9 as FAU visits Corbett Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
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-