The South Florida women's soccer team opened its 2026 campaign with a 5-1 defeat on the road against Gonzaga, a result that underscored the challenges facing a program still finding its footing.
Gonzaga struck first in the fifth minute after a penalty kick, then doubled the lead just six minutes later, setting a brisk tempo that the Bulls struggled to match.
Amelia Malkin, making her collegiate debut, recorded her first career goal in the green and gold, a moment that offered a rare spark for the visitors amid a flurry of early scores.
The Bulldogs added a curling free‑kick from Amelia Severn in the seventeenth minute, extending their advantage to 3‑0 before the halftime break, a sequence that highlighted the opposition’s attacking depth.
Despite the deficit, South Florida managed eight shots on goal, with Sophia Cabral and Malkin each testing the keeper, while goalkeeper Gaby Rourke made four saves to keep the score from widening.
Kylie Sandulak earned her first collegiate start in goal for the Bulls, but the defense could not contain Gonzaga’s relentless pressure, culminating in a fifth goal in the forty‑minute mark.
Coach Chris Brown, now in his third season, entered the match with a résumé that includes 17 years as associate head coach and three American Athletic Conference titles, a background that promises a turnaround despite the current setback.
Under Brown’s leadership the Bulls have already produced six all‑conference selections, a testament to the talent he has cultivated since his debut season, which featured twelve wins.
The team’s journey will continue with a road trip to Washington State on August 15, a test of resilience as they look to translate early lessons into future success.
A promising foundation amid early adversity
While the opening loss was steep, the performances of players such as Evelyne Viens — who previously earned All‑American honors under Brown and now boasts a Hall of Fame pedigree and Olympic gold — signal a pipeline of talent that could soon translate into tangible results.
The program’s ties to the American Athletic Conference and its growing visibility on platforms like usfbulls.com and gonzagablues.com reflect a broader ambition to compete at the national level, a goal that both coaches and players are eager to achieve.