Javain Brown, Avionne Flanagan, Adrian Billhardt and Sal Mazzaferro recognized by the league’s coaches
TAMPA (Nov. 6, 2019) – The University of South Florida men’s soccer team (11-5-1*) is well represented on The American postseason All-Conference Team with four players earning honors, the league announced on Tuesday. Highlighting the Bulls’ honorees are first team selections Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.) and Javain Brown (Kingston, Jamaica), and Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany) who was tabbed a second team selection. In addition, Brown along with Salvatore Mazzaferro (Toronto, Canada) were named to The American All-Rookie Team.
Flanagan, a junior, has been a major factor for the Bulls on both the defensive and offensive ends of the field, starting in all but one match and playing over 1,000 minutes. Flanagan is third on the team in scoring with nine points (1g, 7a), with his seven assists tied for seventh best in the conference. He recorded two assists in USF’s 2-0 win over No. 5 Louisville and logged his only goal of the season, to date, against Jacksonville in a 4-1 win. On the defensive side of the ball, Flanagan helped the back line that allowed only 1.06 goals per game on the year, which is third best in The American. Flanagan and his defensive teammates also assisted in the Bulls posting five clean sheets in the season.
Brown, a redshirt freshman defender, joins Flanagan as a first team selection. He has also made an impact on the offensive side of the ball, entering this week’s AAC Tournament semifinals with seven points (3g, 1a). His three goals are tied for fourth on the team. Defensively, he has been a leader on the back line making several crucial plays throughout the season. Brown has started every game this season, logging over 1,400 minutes played.
Billhardt, quite possibly the hottest player in the conference entering this week’s AAC semifinals, leads the Bulls in scoring with 11 points (5g, 1), and his five goals are tops on the team. He has logged over 1,000 minutes played this season. The junior forward has recorded all five of his goals in the last five games – including four goals in the last three games – after not scoring a goal in the first 11 games of the season.
Mazzaferro has also helped Flanagan and Brown to form one of the stingiest defenses in The American, with their tough physical play. One of the top defensive freshmen in the conference, the Canadian native has started every game during his rookie campaign, while logging over 1,500 minutes on the pitch.
The Bulls, seeded third in the AAC Tournament, return to the pitch on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. when they face the No. 2 seed – and No. 11-ranked – SMU in the tournament semifinals, at the UCF Soccer Stadium in Orlando. The winner will face the winner of the UCF (one seed, No. 6-ranked) vs. Temple (five seed) match for the title on Saturday, at 7 p.m.
* USF’s overall and American Athletic Conference records include a 2-1 win over Tulsa that counts towards AAC standings but is not recognized by the NCAA. Click here for details.
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