TAMPA, Fla. – University of South Alabama women's soccer, which entered the week as the nation's leader in scoring offense, was kept at bay for the first time all year, as South Florida limited the Jaguars to only two shots on frame in USA's 1-0 loss on Friday at the Bulls' Corbett Soccer Stadium.
 
The NCAA's second-best in points, Jaguar Lauren Allison, was held to only one chance on goal in 90 minutes, as USA (7-2-1) was outshot, 16-6, total in its first loss in four matches. The goal was USA's first given up in almost 400 minutes of play, dating back to UAB's first half conversion on September 8.
 
"This was a good team we played tonight," said USA head coach Graham Winkworth. "They had their chances, as did we, and for us to compete with South Florida the way we did makes me proud. That team will likely earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Our girls should hold their heads high. Games like these are making us better."
 
Both teams battled to begin Friday's match, and USA reached the stat sheet first when Clarissa Hernandez registered the initial shot attempt; however, her effort sailed high. USF (5-1-3) answered with five consecutive shots and a corner kick before Alyssa Mayer brought the first test upon Bulls keeper Christiane Endler, who was called on only twice all night.
 
USF carried a 6-2 advantage in shots into the break.
 
The Jaguars peppered three shots to begin the second period, sparked by Allison's targeted strike two minutes in. USA forced back-to-back corners at the 70^th-minute mark, but the club could not produce a shot.
 
Only 30 seconds after her re-entry, Passariello, who converted for USF in the Bulls' 1-1 draw with then-No. 9/10 Florida last Sunday, scored her fourth goal of the season with just over 15 minutes left in the contest.
 
USA managed only one shot in the time remaining, but Morgan Motes' chance went wide. Jaguar keeper Melissa Drish collected six saves on the night, falling to 5-2-1 in net this season.
 
"Obviously, we don't feel well with the loss, but we can take many positives from this game," Winkworth added. "We've played well, and we've worked hard. These girls made USA proud tonight. We'll brush this off by the morning and focus on North Florida on Sunday."
 
USA faces the Ospreys in Jacksonville on Sunday at noon. Live stats can be found by accessing the Jaguar soccer schedule page. Match results will be posted to USA's athletic webpage immediately following the event.

Match: USA (7-2-1) vs. South Florida (5-1-3)
Date: September 20, 2013
Competition: Regular Season, Non-conference
Venue: Corbett Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
Attendance: 588
Weather: 88 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary:   1   2   F
USA                            0   0    0
USF                             0   1    1

USF – Sharla Passareillo (Jana Spengler; Olivia Chance) – 73^rd minute

Starting Lineups:
USA : 13-Melissa Drish (GK); 3-Nikki Shirtcliffe; 4-Emily Farrell; 5-Nini Rabsatt-Smith; 7-Lauren Allison; 10-Clarissa Hernandez; 12-Monique Autmon; 15-Jordan Duncan; 22-Shelby Owen; 23-Morgan Motes; 24-Jess Oram
Head Coach: Graham Winkworth

USF : 1-Christiane Endler (GK); 3-Cara Patterson; 6-Cristin Granados; 7-Diana Saenz; 8-Demi Stokes; 10-Olivia Chance; 15-Jordyn Listro; 17-Sarah Miller; 19-Sharla Passariello; 24-Marsha Harper; 28-Daniela Andrade
Head coach: Denise Schilte-Brown

Stats Summary: USA / USF
Shots: 6 / 16
Saves: 7 / 2
Offsides: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 3 / 5

Misconduct Summary:
none
 
Officials: 
Head Referee: Bojan Subotic
Assistant Referee 1: Artem Kouznetsov
Assistant Referee 2: Sonia Troche
Alternate Official: Alex Ivahnenko
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).