TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 11, 2025 – The University of South Florida's 20^th sport is 2-0 following a gritty 11-8 victory at 2024 Big South Champion and six-time NCAA tournament qualifier Mercer.
 
Led by Goalie Paige Pagano's career-high tying 17 saves and Juliana George's team-high four points (three goals and one assist), the Bulls held off a flurry of Mercer attacks in the final few minutes to earn their first road win in program history.
 
"Securing our first road win against a strong Mercer team is a testament to our resilience and preparation," said Head Coach Mindy McCord. " We rallied behind our goalkeeper Paige Pagano today, who delivered the best performance of her NCAA career."
 
South Florida jumped out to a 3-0 lead after first-quarter goals from Sofia Chepenik, Maggie Newton, and Ava Uphues (assist from Alison Harbaugh)
 
Mercer responded, tying the game at 3-3 before a Kaitlyn Tartaglione unassisted goal gave the Bulls a 4-3 halftime lead.
 
McCord had to turn to an already lighter-than-usual bench in the second half as Chepenik, who had led the team in points thus far, fouled out in the second quarter, while several other Bulls were sidelined or battling through illness.
 
The Bears knotted it up again at 4-4 to start the second half, but the Bulls regained the lead on back-to-back unassisted goals from Juliana George. Jena Binkis then scored her first career goal to put the Bulls up 7-4 just before the fourth quarter.
 
Both teams netted four goals in a back-and-forth fourth quarter, with USF maintaining control throughout. The Bulls had seven shots find the back of the net in the second half, narrowly missing five additional goals off the post.
 
Goalie Paige Pagano tied her career high with 17 saves, including holding Mercer to 0-9 on free position shots, as the Bulls never trailed for the second consecutive game. South Florida has outscored its first two opponents 30-14.
 
The Bulls now turn the page and start fresh as they host Lehigh on Friday in Corbett Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

ABOUT USF LACROSSE
The University of South Florida announced the addition of women's lacrosse to its now 21-sport varsity athletics program in November of 2021.Fast forward to Feb. 7, 2025, the program embarked on its inaugural season in a 19-6 win over KSU, setting the State of Florida's regular season attendance record (2,386 fans). The Bulls named eight-time conference coach of the year Mindy McCord to lead the program in May of 2022. McCord, who came to USF with 240 career wins, earned 21 regular season and conference tournament titles at Jacksonville University. She led the program to eight NCAA appearances after launching and leading the Dolphins' program over its first 13 years. She developed 13 All-Americans, 81 all-conference selections, and 13 conference Player of the Year honorees during that span and departed JU following to back Sweet Sixteen berths. USF runs a fast-paced, high-scoring offense influenced by the early 1990s Loyola Marymount men's basketball record-setting fast break, which ranked among the national leaders in shots, points per game, and scoring margin numerous seasons during McCord's tenure at JU.
 
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– #GoBulls –