PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In a busy night of women’s soccer for the American Athletic Conference, SMU moved to the top of the standings, No. 19/16 USF and UCF won their league openers and Houston used a come-from-behind, double-overtime win to move up to third place.
Thursday, September 27
No. 19/16 USF 4, UConn 0
All-American Evelyne Viens wasted no time in keeping her status as the nation's leader in goals per game. The Canadian striker scored in the 13th minute and the 49th minute to lift USF over UConn, 4-0, in the Bulls' conference opener.
USF (6-1-0) extended its win streak to five games after winning its American Athletic Conference opener for the second consecutive season. Freshman keeper Sydney Martinez finished the night with her first solo shutout. She recorded two saves and advanced to 5-1-0 on the season.
USF will visit Temple for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday in Philadelphia. UConn welcomes UCF on Sunday at noon at game broadcast live on the American Digital Network.
SMU 3, Cincinnati 0
The Mustangs blanked Cincinnati, 3-0, to continue their perfect conference start in a road win on Thursday at Gettler Stadium.
It didn't take the Mustangs long to break the seal against the Bearcats. In the ninth minute, Courtney Sebazco swiped a pass in the attacking third and quickly delivered the ball to Allie Thornton. The junior striker was able to beat Cincinnati keeper for the go-ahead goal, her seventh of the season. Celiana Torres provided a highlight-reel goal in the final minutes of the first half. After Cincinnati was called for a foul about 30 yards out from the goal, Torres unloaded on a rocket that surprised the Bearcats for the game's second goal.
Next on the slate, the Mustangs face ECU on Sunday at noon. The Bearcats will look to get back on track against Houston, also on Sunday.
UCF 2, Temple 1
UCF women’s soccer opened American Athletic Conference play with a 2-1 victory at Temple on Thursday afternoon.
The Knights (4-3-1) took a 1-0 advantage over Temple (5-7) just before halftime as Jessica Taylor scored her first goal of the season in the 44th minute. Zandy Soree doubled UCF’s lead in the 48th minute before the Owls found the net in the 60th minute.
UCF entered the match with a 7-0-0 record against Temple and extended their win streak against the Owls to 8-0-0 on Thursday. The Black and Gold improved to 5-0-1 in their American Athletic Conference openers and are now 34-8-4 all-time in the league.
The Knights continue league play at UConn on Sunday at noon in a contest that will broadcast on the American Digital Network. Temple takes on another Florida foe in USF on Sunday.
Houston 3, ECU 2 (2OT)
Houston fired on all cylinders, posting two second half goals and a golden goal in a 3-2 overtime victory at East Carolina Thursday evening. It was SMU’s sixth extra time game of the year and fourth in the past five matches. Since their return from a California road trip, they are 4-2-1 with five extra time games.
The Cougars got off to a slow start, falling behind early after ECU posted a goal in the opening 19 seconds of play. The Cougars would go into the break, down 1-0. ECU would extend its lead to 2-0 at the 50 minute mark.
Inside the 73rd minute the Cougars would draw a free kick. Sophomore midfielder Mia Brascia lined up 10 yards outside the box and fired a shot that streaked past the ECU goalkeeper. With nine minutes left in the match, Olivia Lee weaved her way through traffic near mid-field and fired one behind the keeper to tie the match 2-2.
With time continuing to dwindle down, the Cougars would line up for a corner kick inside the 102nd minute. Natalie Anderson would take the kick, connecting with Jazmin Grant for a golden goal.
The Cougars will continue their road trip with a Sunday meeting with Cincinnati at 12 p.m. ECU looks to bounce back against SMU.
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