Mens Soccer: USF Blanks St. Louis 2-0 in Exhibition Game

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

USF Blanks St. Louis 2-0

TAMPA, Fla. – Capitalizing twice on the opposing keeper being out of position, the University of South Florida men’s soccer team defeated the University of St. Louis 2-0 in exhibition play, Tuesday night at the USF Soccer Stadium.

The win marks the second for the Bulls in as many years over St. Louis in preseason play.  USF defeated the Billikens on the road last year by a 2-0 margin as well.  In that contest, St. Louis carried a No. 25 preseason ranking.  This season the Billikens are ranked as high as No. 19.

The Bulls recorded the first goal at the 39’ of the first half after St. Louis goalie Ross Kaufman was drawn out of position on a high bouncer at the top of the box.  Midfielder Jason Devenish waited as the ball deflected off a Billikens’ defender to where he was positioned at the top-left of the box.  After briefly settling the ball, Devenish fired a shot with his left foot that reached the back of the net for the unassisted goal and his first of the preseason.

The second goal came at the 62’, as newcomers Tony Taylor and Marshall Schultz combined for the score.  Schultz nailed a shot from the outside-center of the box, which substituted keeper Pat Disbennett misplayed, and Taylor easily put away as the St. Louis goalie tried to scramble back into position. 

The Bulls and Billikens each recorded seven shots in the contest, with two each being on goal.  USF keeper Diego Restrepo tallied the two saves and newcomer Jeffrey Attinella preserved the shutout for the final 17 minutes of the match.

With the win, USF improves to 2-0-0 in exhibition play this year, while St. Louis drops to 0-1-0.  The Bulls have outscored opponents 4-0 in the two victories. 

The Bulls will look to keep the good fortune going this Saturday as they head to Charlottesville, Va., for perhaps their toughest test of the preseason.  USF will face-off against preseason No. 5 UVA at 7 p.m. from Klockner Stadium.  The Cavaliers only exhibition match thus far against Virginia Commonwealth was cancelled due to weather on Sun., Aug. 19.

[Ricky the Bull]

Saint Louis is a perennial college soccer power and this solid win is a good sign for the upcoming season.  Men's soccer may be the first USF team to win a NC.

[ksquire]

Expecting big things from them this season. Best of luck to the team.

[Rizman]

Sounds good, looking forward to the first game for the regular season on Friday August 31st.