TAMPA, Fla. — South Florida rallied late to outlast Florida Atlantic 2-1 on Thursday evening, with Selma Åström's 82nd-minute strike proving the difference in a tightly contested American Athletic Conference matchup. The Bulls, riding a one-game winning streak after a midweek loss to UAB, found their breakthrough when Åström capitalized on a Gentiana Fetaj setup to break a 1-1 deadlock. The Owls, meanwhile, saw their five-game losing streak extend despite Sutton Markee's equalizer earlier in the second half.
Markee's goal in the 86th minute had briefly given Florida Atlantic hope of salvaging a result on the road. The Owls' forward struck after Sloane Young worked the ball into dangerous territory, momentarily silencing a South Florida side that had dominated stretches of the match. But the home team's resilience proved decisive. Just four minutes after Markee's strike, Fetaj added insurance with a goal of her own in the 89th minute, sealing the victory despite a late push from the visitors.
The first half unfolded as a cagey affair with both teams probing for openings but neither able to find the back of the net. Florida Atlantic's Michelle Horan and Hailey Santiago created early chances, while South Florida's Keito Ido and Noelle Sather tested the Owls' defense. The midfield battle remained competitive throughout, with neither side establishing clear control. By halftime, the scoreless stalemate reflected the evenly matched nature of the contest, though South Florida had generated slightly more attacking intent as the half progressed.
The second half began with Florida Atlantic pressing higher up the pitch, forcing South Florida into a more defensive posture. The Owls' intensity nearly paid dividends early, with Hailey Santiago forcing a blocked shot in the 48th minute. However, South Florida weathered the storm and gradually reasserted itself. The Bulls' patient buildup play eventually created space in the final third, and their persistence was rewarded when Åström found the net to give them a 1-0 lead.
Florida Atlantic refused to wilt after falling behind. Markee's response just minutes later—a well-taken finish that leveled the match—suggested the Owls might yet claim a point from their road trip. The momentum appeared to have shifted in their favor as they pressed for a winner. But South Florida's experience showed down the stretch. The Bulls controlled the tempo in the closing stages, and Fetaj's late goal extinguished any remaining hope for the visitors.
Statistically, Florida Atlantic held a slight edge in shot attempts with 15 to South Florida's 12, and managed nine shots on goal compared to the Bulls' seven. The Owls also earned seven corner kicks to South Florida's six. However, South Florida's goalkeeper made eight saves to Florida Atlantic's five, a reflection of the home team's ability to weather the Owls' attacking forays and create higher-quality chances when it mattered most.
Åström and Fetaj emerged as South Florida's standout performers, combining for both the go-ahead goal and the insurance marker. Markee's effort kept Florida Atlantic competitive despite the team's overall struggles this season. For South Florida, the victory provides momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season, while Florida Atlantic faces an uphill battle to salvage their campaign.
South Florida improves to 8-8-2 overall with the win, while Florida Atlantic falls to 4-12-3. The Owls' five-game losing streak underscores their difficult season, though they'll look to regroup quickly. South Florida returns to action next, seeking to build on this result and climb back into contention in the AAC standings.