USF women’s soccer earns program’s highest ranking
Senior Leticia Skeete has scored three goals in USF's first five matches. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
Five games into the season and coming off of a 1-0 over University of Alabama, the USF Bulls Women’s soccer team is unbeaten and ranked a program-high 14th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.
This ranking is the first time that the women’s program has cracked the top 15 in the poll, besting last year’s previous high of 18th. Thus far, they’ve knocked off Louisiana-Monroe, FIU, Kentucky, UMass, and Alabama by a combined goal margin of 12-4.
The unprecedented ranking is perhaps surprising considering the surplus of youth on the roster, including 12 freshmen, many of whom have quickly found themselves as steady contributors on the unbeaten squad.
While senior forward Leticia Skeete has remained a steady offensive force for the Bulls, compiling three goals in the first five matches, freshman Evelyn Viens has three herself, including two in USF’s 3-0 victory over UMass. This melding of senior leadership and reliance upon young, yet highly talented, freshmen has been a recipe for success thus far for the lady Bulls.
With senior Carlotta Fennefoss’ rangy, cerebral play and Jordyn Listro’s relentless tenacity setting the tone early from the back line in most matches, the freshmen have had no choice but to keep up the high expectations exemplified by the play of their elder teammates.
With a 2-3 University of Jacksonville squad next on the schedule, the Bulls will aim to lengthen their unbeaten streak to six games at home Thursday.
More Stories
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]
USF baseball matches last season’s wins at midseason
USF baseball has reached its midseason, powering through a turnaround year. Despite losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday 7-5, It has already won 21 games, matching the same total from last season with a road victory against Tulane on Sunday. The Bulls (21-16, 7-5 AAC) stand third out of 10 teams in the conference. […]
USF men’s basketball was gutted by the transfer portal. Here’s who remains on the roster.
Things move pretty quickly in this new world of college basketball thanks in large part to the explosion of the transfer portal. Less than a month removed from a second round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, USF men’s basketball looks a lot different than it did in mid-March. In the span of a […]
USF softball is gaining momentum during season’s final stretch
As the USF softball season draws to a close, it seems the team has found some momentum. The Bulls (30-16, 9-9 AAC) have won six of its last seven games. In the last nine days, they have won their last two conference series and stunned the then-ranked No.9 Florida Gators on Wednesday. USF had yet […]