Another loss

On the bright side, the USF women’s soccer team got a free lesson in efficiency.

The Bulls permitted only two shots on goal but still fell to Florida International 2-1 Thursday in Miami.

It was the second consecutive loss for the Bulls (1-2-1).

“(FIU’s) goals, to be honest, were mostly our fault,” coach Logan Fleck said, “But there are no excuses.”

FIU’s Kristen Hurst scored the game’s first goal in the sixth minute. Just six minutes later, Janessa Taddei netted another to put FIU (2-4-0) up 2-0.

It was Taddei’s fifth goal of the young season.

The Bulls showed promise early in the second half when senior Christine Koester scored on a header in the 55th minute to bring USF within a goal.

The goal was assisted by Erica Lewis and was Koester’s second career score. Her first came against Houston in 2002.

“It was a beautiful goal, a big-time finish,” Fleck said. “That’s absolutely what we’re looking for.”

Despite dominating the second half, the Bulls failed to score an equalizer.

“We have to break the habit of starting slow,” said defender Stacci Sastre. “Because we dominated that second half.”

The Bulls were originally scheduled to play Western Carolina at home Thursday but were forced to postpone when inclement weather threatened Western Carolina’s travel plans.

No make-up date has been announced for the Western Carolina game.

With multiple cancellations and postponements, Sastre admits the Bulls were a little weary.

“It’s hard when you think you have a home game and the next thing you know you’re on a bus driving somewhere,” she said. “But playing on the road is something we need to get used to.”

Added Fleck: “We really needed this game. Playing four games in three weeks isn’t going to cut it. There’s nothing like 90 minutes of actual playing time to gain experience.”

USF next welcomes Florida Atlantic Saturday at 4 p.m. It will be the Bulls’ first home game since their season-opening tie versus Stetson Aug. on 28.