TAMPA, Fla. (September 24, 2023) – For the first time since November 22, 2019, the University of South Florida women's soccer team has knocked off a ranked opponent. South Florida (5-4-1) defeated the No. 21 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-2-1), 2-1, at Corbett Stadium on Sunday.
Kouri Peace and
Peyton Vincze led USF with a goal each.
The Bulldogs recorded the first shot on goal for the match, but
Leire Herraez Gallach was there to keep the match scoreless. Both sides were held to limited chances in the first half, as the two sides combined for just five shots on goal. Gallach recorded three saves, while her counterpart Lauren Towne made two saves.
Things picked up in the second half. Peace took a misplayed ball by Gonzaga and then proceeded to beat two more defenders before she sent a perfect cross towards the far post. Vincze was on the receiving end of the cross and utilized her first touch to put the Bulls up 1-0.
Georgia Brown started a scoring chance for USF with a beautiful through ball towards
Serita Thurton down the right side between the box and the corner. Thurton used her first touch and crossed it into the box for a cutting Peace. Peace took advantage of a header and beat the keeper to the far post.
The Zags got on the board in the 52nd minute on an unassisted goal by Marissa Garcia.
Gallach collected four saves in the second half, including a save on a free kick just outside the box with only three seconds left on the clock. She finished one save shy of tying her career-best mark of eight saves. The Bulls went on to defeat the Bulldogs 2-1.
"When you're playing a team like Gonzaga, and you get opportunities that's not easy because they were shutting a bunch of teams out," said Head Coach
Denise Schilte-Brown. "They were scoring on most teams in the first 15 minutes. I loved how the girls listened to us today."
Notable
· USF improved to 10-39-4 against ranked opponents.
· USF defeated a ranked opponent for the first time since it knocked off Washington in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
·
Kouri Peace tallied a career-high three points with her goal and assist. She recorded her second game-winning goal of her career.
· Peace moved her points total to five on the season.
·
Peyton Vincze recorded her second goal of the season and sixth point.
·
Leire Herraez Gallach finished the match with seven saves, the second most of her career.
·
Georgia Brown is now second on the team with 11 points after her assist today.
·
Serita Thurton dished out her third assist on the season.
· The Bulls held possession for 66 percent of the match.
· South Florida held Gonzaga to zero corner kicks in the second half.
Next Up
USF returns to the friendly confines of Corbett Stadium for an American Athletic Conference matchup with ECU on Thursday, September 28. The first touch is slated for 7 p.m.
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 –
