TicketsTAMPA, Fla. -- USF converted a penalty kick in the first half and added insurance in the second to take a 2-0 win over Cincinnati on Thursday night.
The Bearcats fell to 6-6-3 (1-3-2 AAC), while the first-place Bulls improved to 10-3-2 and 5-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Vanessa DiNardo was called for a foul on Sydny Nasello (the two entered the night tied for the league-lead with eight goals) on the cusp of the 18-yard box, but a penalty kick was awarded and converted. The Bearcats had a couple of great looks in the 32nd and 33rd minutes, with Karli Royer launching a free-kick a little high before another strike just missed the lower-90 on the left side.
All told, Cincinnati held a 7-6 shots advantage at the break. There were two valiant equalizer attempts in the 51st minute, but USF struck in the 53rd after Nasello stole one inside the 18-yard box and fired her second goal to the top corner.
NOTABLE
-Opponents are 5-for-5 on PKs this year, while UC has one-such attempt.
-Cincinnati had two games at USF last year, defeating Memphis in the AAC Semifinals before falling to the Bulls in the title game.
-Royer led UC with three shots, followed by Taylor Nuncio's two.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati remains on the road for a Sunday contest at Houston (2 p.m. ET).
The Bearcats fell to 6-6-3 (1-3-2 AAC), while the first-place Bulls improved to 10-3-2 and 5-1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Vanessa DiNardo was called for a foul on Sydny Nasello (the two entered the night tied for the league-lead with eight goals) on the cusp of the 18-yard box, but a penalty kick was awarded and converted. The Bearcats had a couple of great looks in the 32nd and 33rd minutes, with Karli Royer launching a free-kick a little high before another strike just missed the lower-90 on the left side.
All told, Cincinnati held a 7-6 shots advantage at the break. There were two valiant equalizer attempts in the 51st minute, but USF struck in the 53rd after Nasello stole one inside the 18-yard box and fired her second goal to the top corner.
NOTABLE
-Opponents are 5-for-5 on PKs this year, while UC has one-such attempt.
-Cincinnati had two games at USF last year, defeating Memphis in the AAC Semifinals before falling to the Bulls in the title game.
-Royer led UC with three shots, followed by Taylor Nuncio's two.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati remains on the road for a Sunday contest at Houston (2 p.m. ET).