Box Score TAMPA, Fla. – In the first-ever meeting between the programs, South Florida held off No. 21 Gonzaga women's soccer, 2-1, Sunday.
The Bulls (5-4-1) picked up their first win over Top 25 team since defeating No. 4 Washington in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs (7-2-1) suffered their second setback of the season in the cross-country trip to close non-conference play.
After a scoreless first half, South Florida's Kouri Peace slid a pass across the box that Peyton Vincze kicked in the net in the 49
th minute. It was Vincze's second goal of the season and Peace's first assist.
Less than two minutes later, Peace was on the receiving end of a cross that she headed into the net. Her second goal of the season came on assists from Georgia Brown and Serita Thurton.
Gonzaga answered quickly in the 53
rd minute as
Marissa Garcia dribbled through the USF defense and curled a shot into the near post for her sixth goal of the season. It was the junior's 15
th career goal.
The Zags outshot USF 11-9, with an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams took five corner kicks.
Gonzaga forced South Florida's Leire Herraez Gallach into seven saves, one off her season high.
Lauren Towne made two saves for the Bulldogs. Garcia and Emilia Warta both took a match-high three shots.
The Zags open West Coast Conference play against San Diego (1-8-1) Saturday in Spokane at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus, with live stats on GoZags.com.