TAMPA, Fla. – With a brilliant goal in the 66th minute, junior transfer
Izzy Kadzban lifted American University women's soccer to a 1-0 win at USF (1-1) on an afternoon that included over two hours of delayed play due to lightning. It was the first win of the season for the Eagles, and a huge one against a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and also happens to be the alma mater of AU head coach
Marsha Harper.
"I'm very proud of the performance from everyone in our program today," said Harper, still processing her thoughts after an emotional victory. "This was a hard-fought win against a very talented and well-coached team. A lot of who I am as a person and coach is because of Denise (Schilte-Brown) and Chris (Brown). I am excited to see what we're capable of this season!"
QUICK NOTABLES
- The Eagles have evened the all-time series vs. USF at 1-1, avenging a 3-0 loss from 2017.
- USF went 12-4-3 a year ago and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after falling in PKs to Memphis in the AAC Championship.
- Sophomore Julia Kato followed up a four-save effort one game ago with five saves today, also recording her first shutout of the season and fourth of her young career.
- The assist on Kadzban's goal came from sophomore Olivia Simmons, who took an initial shot on goal in the sequence that was saved by the USF keeper. It was the first career assist for Simmons, who spent her freshman year at Purdue.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In an uneventful first half, the only shot of the first 36 minutes was taken by senior Alysa Vazquez of the Eagles.
- USF recorded its first two shots in the 37th minute, the second of which was saved by Kato, and the teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.
- Kato made three more saves in the opening 13 minutes of the second half, during which time Simmons also had a shot on goal saved by USF keeper Sydney Martinez.
- Coming of the third of those saves by Kato, the Eagles made their way back on offense. Kadzban worked her way around a defender before twice getting the ball through to Simmons who eventually took a shot from the left side that was saved by Martinez.
- Kadzban was there to collect the rebounded save and calmly kept her position to win back the ball and put it into the left side of the net for the only score of the game.
- No shots on goal were recorded the rest of the way, and the game was called with six minutes left due to lightning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles had three shots on goal to USF's five, and only four total shots compared to 10 for the Bulls.
- Two yellow cards were given to the Bulls in the second half.
- The total duration of the game including delays was four hours and 33 minutes.
UP NEXT
- The Eagles will play their first home game on Wednesday, Aug. 31 when they welcome crosstown rival George Washington to Reeves. Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m.
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