TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 30, 2021 – The University of South Florida women's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Houston at Corbett Stadium on Senior Night.
 
Seven of USF's (7-2-2, 2-0-1 AAC) starters played all 110 minutes in the game. Meghan Cavanaugh (Clifton Park, N.Y.) led the Bulls' attack with six shots and two shots on goal. Nasello netted her eighth goal of the year in the match.
 
Houston's (9-1-2, 1-0-1 AAC) attack started strong, putting up three shots and two corner kicks in the first 27 minutes. On the second corner attempt, the kick found its way to Zionah Browne, who headed it into the net to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead in the 27^th minute.
 
South Florida regrouped at the break and came out with a renewed offensive effort in the second half. Entering the final minute of the game outshooting Houston 10-4 in the second frame, Nasello dribbled into the box looking for one last attack with less than a minute left and was tripped by a defender, drawing a penalty kick.
 
While the goalkeeper guessed right, Nasello punched it into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Both teams had opportunities in the overtime periods. After a quiet opening 10 minutes, the Bulls took three shot in the first two minutes of the second OT frame, including a pair on goal from Cavanaugh.
 
Minutes later, Houston's counterattack nearly broke through. A Cougar found themselves in a one-on-one with Sydney Martinez (Rincon, Ga.), but the junior keeper timed a dive perfectly to snatch the ball away from the attacker, ending the game in a draw.
 
Notables

• USF continued its streak of games with 20-or-more shot attempts. The Bulls have taken 20-plus shots in eight-of-eleven games this season and in each of the last four contests.  
• The Bulls have played in five matches that have gone to OT, and boast a 3-0-2 record in those games.
• USF extended its undefeated streak in games against conference opponents to 14 games and extended an unbeaten streak against Houston to nine games, posting an 8-0-1 record in those games dating back to 2004.
• Sabrina Wagner (New Port Richey, Fla.) is one game away from tying the USF record for most games played, currently held by Jordyn Listro who played in 82 games from 2013-16. She also tied the record for most starts, set by Andrea Hauksdottir who started 79 games from 2016-19.
• Sydny Nasello is now tied for fifth on USF's all-time points list with 65 alongside Tia Opliger (1998-02) and tied for seventh on the program's career goals list with 21, alongside Sharla Passariello (2010-13) and Aubrey Megrath (2016-19).
• Prior to the match, Chyanne Dennis (Sunrise, Fla.), Alanna Lutchmansingh (Lauderhill, Fla.), Katie Kitching (Bedale, England), Paula Leblic (Madrid, Spain), Camryn Lizardi (Bradenton, Fla.), Sabrina Wagner (New Port Richey, Fla.), Kaley Verpaele (Cocoa Beach, Fla.), Cavanaugh and Nasello were all recognized for their contributions to USF soccer.
• The Bulls have found a string of success late in periods. In addition to tonight's goal with 46 seconds left, USF has scored the following goals in the last five minutes of a period:

Time of Goal – Time Left – Goal Scorer – Opponent
108:46 – 1:14 – Madeleine Penman-Derstine – Tulsa
88:06 – 1:54 – Sydny Nasello – ECU
 
Up Next
The Bulls travel to Orlando for the War on I-4, battling Central Florida on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6 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-