TAMPA (AUG. 29, 2019) – The USF men’s soccer team knew coming into tonight’s season-opener at No. 1 Maryland that it had a tough task at hand, but also knew that it was capable of pulling off the upset against the defending NCAA champion in one of the most hostileenvironments in collegiate soccer, Ludwig Field. The Bulls battled for the full 90 minutes, and had several chances, however could not find the back of the goal as the top-ranked Terrapins (1-0) handed USF (0-1) a tough 1-0 loss in College Park Thursday night.
The match was scoreless until the 70’ when Maryland freshman Malcolm Johnston beat USF goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares (Sydney, Australia) with a header off a corner kick to the far-right post to give the Terps a 1-0 lead. The eventual game-winner came just four minutes after the Bulls’ Victor Claudel (Strasbourg, France) made his way into the 18 and served the ball in front of the goal where Stephen Rudderham (St. Petersburg, Fla.) waited looking to put the Bulls on the board. Claudel’s offering, however, was just over Rudderham’s head.
Devenish-Meares kept USF in the match with two saves, including one on a breakaway by Maryland’s Eric Matzelevich in the 11’ to keep the game scoreless.
Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.), in his return home, and Josue Monge (Philadelphia, Pa.) accounted for USF’s two shots on the night.
Quotable
“Overall, tonight was a really positive effort by our guys in a tough place to play, especially when you are playing the national champ in the first game of a new year after winning their national championship. I think our guys played very well for key moments in the game. Unfortunately, they missed an assignment on a restart that was the difference in the match. I think we defended pretty well and maybe should have created more chances, and I also think that we played with a tempo that at times was to our benefit. We will definitely learn a lot from this game because there were so many positives to take from it. I’m really happy that the guys worked hard and had some good moments. In general, though, I am disappointed with the result, but its’s a tough place and the guys did what they needed to do.” – USF head coach Bob Butehorn
Key Stat
10-2 & 3-2 – Despite falling 1-0, and putting themselves in positions to score on several occasions, the Bulls were still outshot 10-2 on the night. However, in shots on goal the Terrapins only outshot USF by one, 3-2.
Notable
- The loss drops USF’s record in season-openers to 38-15-3 all-time, and to 5-4-2 in its last 11 lid-lifters.
- Freshmen Salvatore Mazzaferro (Caledon East, Ontario) and Victor Claudel earned their first collegiate starts.
Up Next
USF’s home opener is slated for Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., when the Bulls welcome Big East foe Marquette to Corbett Stadium.
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