IRVING, Texas – American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Sydny Nasello scored a wondergoal and added an assist as top seed South Florida defeated No. 4 SMU, 2-0, Thursday evening, November 4, to advance to The American’s Women’s Soccer Championship final.
 
With the win, South Florida (12-3-2) advances to face No. 3 seed Memphis in the championship final on Sunday, November 7 at noon eastern on ESPNEWS.
 
In the 56^th minute, Nasello collected the ball outside the box, turned and fired a shot into the top corner and off the cross bar and in for her conference-leading 11^th goal of the season.
 
The Bulls added an insurance goal in the 74^th minute when Nasello sent a cross into the box that Lucy Roberts headed in from close range.
 
South Florida received a strong performance in goal from Sydney Martinez, who made five saves in the shutout. Samantha Estrada recorded seven saves for the Mustangs.
 
USF led in shots, 12-8, and corners, 8-4.
 
In the first half, the Bulls led in shots, 5-3, while the Mustangs made four saves to USF’s two.
 
SMU (11-4-2) defeated South Florida, 2-0, in Tampa on Oct. 10 in the regular season.
 

Championship Schedule
First round at campus sites
Semifinals and final at No. 1 seed South Florida
(all times Eastern)
 
First Round - Sunday, October 31
Game 1 - No. 3 Memphis 2, No. 6 UCF 0
Game 2 – No. 4 No. 4 SMU 2, No. 5 East Carolina 1
 
Semifinals - Thursday, November 4
Game 3 – No. 3 Memphis 1, No. 2 Houston 0
Game 4 – No. 1 South Florida 2, No. 4 SMU 0
 
Championship Final - Sunday, November 7
Game 5 – No. 3 Memphis at No. 1 South Florida | Noon | ESPNEWS