TAMPA, Florida – No. 1 seed USF won its second straight American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship, capturing the 2020 title with a 4-0 win over Cincinnati Saturday, April 17, at Corbett Soccer Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
 
It is the Bulls’ third tournament crown since joining The American, after winning in 2017 and 2019. With the win, USF automatically qualifies for the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. The field will be announced on Monday.
 
USF (9-0-2) struck early in the seventh minute as Paula Leblic played 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Sydny Nasello in on the left side and Nasello slotted home her fifth goal of the season.
 
The Bulls had a golden opportunity in the 18^th minute to double the lead as Solveig Larsen’s shot was cleared off the line by the Bearcat defense, and USF led 1-0 at halftime.
 
In the second half, USF doubled the lead in the 57^th minute on a Nasello penalty kick and Leblic tallied her fourth goal of the season after an intended cross found the back of the net in the 67^th minute to bring the score to 3-0.
 
Meghan Cavanaugh closed the scoring with her third goal of the season in the 79^th minute.
 
For the match, USF led in shots, 24-8, and had six corners to the Bearcats’ one. In goal, Anna Rexford of Cincinnati (5-5-1) made four saves, while Sydney Martinez recorded two saves for the Bulls in the win.
 
Nasello was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while Martinez was selected as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
 
It was the second time the two teams competed in The American’s tournament final, with Cincinnati winning the title in 2015 on penalties.
 
American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship Honors
Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Sydny Nasello, USF
 
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Sydney Martinez, USF
 
All-Tournament Team
Solveig Larsen, USF
Paula Leblic, USF
Sydney Martinez, USF
Rosalia Muino Gonzalez, USF
Syndy Nasello, USF
Ashley Barron, Cincinnati
Taylor Nuncio, Cincinnati
Karli Royer, Cincinnati
Chloe Spitler, Cincinnati
Grace Stordy, Memphis
Maeve English, East Carolina