TAMPA, Fla. (September 21, 2023) – The University of South Florida women's soccer team returned to the friendly confines of Corbett Stadium for the American Athletic Conference home opener against Charlotte on Thursday night. The Bulls moved to 4-4-1 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play, while the 49ers moved to 4-3-3 overall and 0-0-2 in league action, with a 0-0 draw.
 
The Tampa weather reared its head and forced the match to be delayed by an hour and a half.
 
Once the match got started, Sadie Sider-Echenberg recorded a shot on goal in the first three minutes of action, but the Charlotte keeper made the saves. The South Florida attack produced four shots on goal in the open stanza, while the Bulls' defense held the 49ers to zero shots in the half.
 
In the 48th minute, Gentiana Fetaj ripped a shot from just outside the box that bounced off the crossbar and down to the ground before hitting the crossbar once again. Somehow her shot stayed out of the goal.
 
The South Florida attack continued to pressure for the remainder of the match and finished with six shots on goal for the match. The Bulls controlled possession for most of the match and limited chances by the 49ers.
 
In the 86th minute, Payton Patrick notched the first shot on goal for the 49ers, but Leire Herraez Gallach was there with a big save to keep the match scoreless.
 
Notable
· In the last four matches, the Bulls have held the opponent without a shot on goal in four halves.
· South Florida has outshot opponents in five of the nine matches on the season.
· The Bulls held possession for 57 percent of the match.
· Tonight's match was the first draw since the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship against Memphis.
 
Next Up
South Florida remains at home as No. 21 Gonzaga makes the trip to Tampa. The first touch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Corbett Stadium 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.
 
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