BATON ROUGE, La. (August 17, 2023) – The University of South Florida Bulls (1-0) opened the 2023 season with a statement win at LSU (0-1) on Thursday night with a 1-0 road victory over the Tigers.
Junior Georgia Brown (Highworth, England) netted the game-winning goal in the 17th minute of play on a header off a precision corner kick from sophomore Gentiana Fetaj (Minden, Germany).
South Florida recorded the only two corner kicks in the first half before LSU ultimately took the edge in that category after full time, 5-4. USF keeper Arden La-Rose (Toronto, Ontario, Canda) was up to the challenge, facing five corners in the second half and four total shots on goal in the contest to blank the Tigers and tally her second career shutout in net. One of the biggest saves of the night was recorded by defender Signe Markvardsen when she headed away a would-be tying goal during a scrum in the box.
"It's certainly the start you want for your season," said head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. "On the road and under a lot of adversity. I'm proud of this group and see a lot of potential."
Notable
- The teams took a mandatory hydration break during each half due to the excessive heat; the kickoff temperature was 97 degrees in Baton Rouge.
- South Florida has won nine straight season-opening matches.
- Each of Brown's two career goals at USF have been game-winners; vs. UTSA (also on a header) on September 4, 2022.
- La-Rose's first career shutout came in her first collegiate start last season on September 8, 2022. Her three saves on Thursday are a new career high.
- Freshman Elyse Thornton (Odessa) and senior transfer from Oklahoma State, Peyton Vincze (Houston, Texas), each made their USF debut in the starting lineup.
- USF went 2-0 in its preseason exhibition matches, out-scoring opponents, 8-1.
- LSU was issued the only card (yellow) of the game during the second half of action.
Up Next
The Bulls wrap up their road trip in Louisiana against the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette on Sunday, August 20 at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
About South Florida 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 2023 season marks the 17th and final for head coach Denise Schilte-Brown at the helm of the Bulls. Schilte-Brown guided South Florida to the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2010 and the Bulls have made eight total postseason appearances (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021) in the last 13 years. USF posted five consecutive seasons with a conference championship, winning the regular-season title in 2018, 2020 and 2021, while earning the tournament crown in 2017, 2019 and 2020. USF alum and Olympic Gold Medalist, Evelyne Viens, was selected fifth overall in the NWSL Draft by the Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC. Viens was one of four Pro Bulls to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
– #GoBulls –
