Four Bulls recognized including Defensive, Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Week honorees.
IRVING, Texas (Feb. 24, 2021) – The University of South Florida men’s soccer program dominated the American Athletic Conference weekly honors, for the week ending Feb. 23, with four student-athletes being recognized, including Defensive, Goalkeeper, and Rookie of the Week honorees.
Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.) was tabbed The American Defensive Player of the Week, Kazuna Takase (Tomoto, Japan) earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors, and Oscar Resano (Mexico City, Mexico) was named the Rookie of the Week. Henrique Gallina (Atabaia, Brazil) was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.
In his last collegiate game, Flanagan helped lead the Bulls to a 2-1 upset victory against AAC rival, and No. 14-ranked, UCF in the first edition of the War on I-4. The win marked the first win over a ranked team, for the Bulls, since the Bulls defeated No. 5 Louisville, 2-0, on Sept. 9, 2019. Flanagan, who has been an anchor on USF’s defense, helped to hold the Knights without a goal until the Knights were credited with a team goal in the 81st minute. Flanagan will sign with FC Cincinnati after being drafted in the second round (29th pick overall) of the MLS SuperDraft.
Takase had a big bounce-back match, between the posts, in the win over UCF. Takase recorded a career-high 12 saves on 12 shots on goal, and Takase helped to hold the Knights without a goal until they were credited with a team goal in the 81st minute.
Resano scored his first career goal for the Bulls against UCF, with the first score of the match, coming in the 11th minute of play. It was his only shot of the contest and put the Knights back on their heels early on.
Gallina recorded his first goal of the season and the third of his career. Also, it was his second career game-winner. The native of Brazil posted two shots against the Knights, with one on goal.
The Bulls return to the pitch on Saturday at 7 p.m., when they travel to Philadelphia to face Temple line on ESPN+.
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About USF Men’s Soccer
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USF Men’s Soccer competed in the school’s first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 27 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 19 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
USF Soccer concluded the 2019 season with an 11-7-1 overall record, earning an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Four players earned AAC honors, highlighted by first team selections Avionne Flanagan and Javain Brown. Adrian Billhardt was tabbed a second team selection. In addition, Brown and Salvatore Mazzaferro were named to The AAC All-Rookie Team. Head coach Bob Butehorn returns to lead USF in his fourth season on the sidelines.
– #GoBulls –
