Women’s Soccer Ties UNF in Season Opener

TAMPA (8/22/08) - TAMPA - The 2008 edition of the University of South Florida women’s soccer team battled against the University of North Florida Lady Ospreys for 110 minutes but when the final horn rang, the Bulls came away with a 1-1 tie in their regular season opener at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium.

Bulls head coach Denise Schilte-Brown was pleased with the young team as six starters were true freshmen.

“I was happy with the intensity and effort we came out of the gates with,” said Schilte-Brown. “We came down a little bit, which can be expected of a young team. We need to be able to carry that throughout the game, but I am proud of the girls. They battled.”

USF opened the game with a high energy level and the Bulls got on the board early when, freshman Chelsea Klotz, playing in her first game at USF, scored an goal at the 10:13 mark with the assists coming from Valorie O’Brien and Molly Stack.

“At first it (the game) was nerve racking,” said Klotz. “After I scored the goal, it relaxed my nerves and I was able to settle into the game. I thought we moved the ball well as a team throughout the game.”

The Lady Ospreys evened the game in the 35th minute mark, as Kristin Matteuzzi pushed one past USF keeper junior Mallori Lofton-Malachi on the Lady Ospreys first shot of the game. That would be the final goal Lofton-Malachi would allow.

The Bulls defense would stiffen and allow just two total shots the rest of the way out. Although, Lofton-Malachi stopped just one Osprey attempt, she played an exceptional game directing the Bulls’ defense.

It was clear that the Bulls controlled the game throughout. The Bulls sent offensive wave after offensive wave at UNF as the Bulls put constant pressure on Lady Osprey goalkeeper Rachael Howard throughout the entirety of the game.

The Bulls launched 28 shots, 12 of which were on goal, compared to the Lady Ospreys three total. The main culprit was Klotz who blasted five shots on goal and tried 10 shots in all.

“The girls took numerous shots, which was a goal for us,” said Schilte-Brown. “If one of those shots goes in we are standing here with a different result. Chelsea alone took 10 shots which is impressive. If we keep shooting like that a lot more are going to find the back of the net.

In the second half, the rain increased and so did the Bulls shots on goal. The Bulls had their chances as they fired 14 shots total in the half with many of the shots on goal, just inches away from being the decisive goal.

The Bulls put together a series of offensive burst with three minutes left in the regulation. A rocket shot by senior Melanie Sutherland ricocheted off of the cross bar, then Howard turned backed two efforts of the left foot of freshman Brittany Burt with diving saves.

In overtime, the Bulls kept the pressure on as they cracked four more shots but could not find the net.

“I am not happy that we tied but I am happy with the way girls played. I think we have a strong basis to build on from here,” closed Schilte-Brown.

The Bulls will be on the road next as they travel to Birmingham, Ala. to clash with UAB next Friday at 7 p.m. Then they will head further north to Nashville, Tenn. take on the Commodores of Vanderbilt on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.