USF Falls to No. 3/4 SMU, 3-0

Mustangs snap the Bulls’ three-match winning streak.

TAMPA (Oct. 11, 2019) – The USF men’s soccer team came into Friday’s match against No. 3/4 SMU looking for a statement win; however, the Mustangs were the ones that came out at the end of the night on top as they handed the Bulls a 3-0 loss at Corbett Stadium. The loss drops USF to 6-3 on the year and 1-1 in the American Athletic Conference, while also snapping its three-match winning streak. SMU improves to 10-0-1 and 2-0-1 in The American.

The Mustangs dictated play in the first half, outshooting the Bulls 11-4 during the first 45 minutes of the contest while taking a 2-0 lead into the locker room at the break.

USF came out in the second stanza and showed considerably more fight recording its best three chances of the night in the first seven minutes out of the locker room. Victor Claudel (Strasbourg, France) got things going with a shot in the 48th minute that went just high two minutes before Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.) barely missed wide right from no more than three yards out in the 50th minute. Josue Monge (Philadelphia, Pa.) then sent a laser shot from about 23 yards out that was just saved by SMU goalkeeper Grant Makela. The Bulls had other opportunities during the physical second half, however could never find the back of the net.

Despite the Mustangs holding a seven-shot advantage at the intermission, the Bulls dictated the tempo in the second half outshooting the Mustangs, 7-2. USF finished the night with 11 shots, however only two came on goal. SMU had 13 shots with nine on frame.

Devenish-Meares finished the game with a season high six saves.

Quotable

“Give SMU credit, they came out from inside their tent and were pretty juiced about this game, and their enthusiasm and competitiveness kind of overwhelmed us. We learned a tough lesson in the first half. In the second half, when you are in a hole, 2-nil against a team like that, they are going to know how to close it out. We came out, and maybe could have gotten one in the second half – maybe another one – but you have to give the credit to SMU, they did a great job, they executed a great game plan and their kids played really well tonight.”  – USF head coach Bob Butehorn on USF’s loss to No. 3/4 SMU.

Scoring Summary

SMU  Gabriel Costa (Knut Ahlander; 28:28)

SMU – Knut Ahlander (Garrett McLaughlin; 34:23)

SMU – Henry Smith-Hastie (Unassisted; 84:50)

                               1              2              F

USF                       0              0              0                          

SMU                      2              1              3

Shots: USF 11, SMU 13

Shots on Goal: USF 2, SMU 9

Saves: USF 6, SMU 2

Corner Kicks: USF 3, SMU 4

Fouls: USF 14, SMU 14

Key Stat

11 – SMU put up 11 shots in the first half that led to two goals, as opposed to only four shots by USF.

Notable

  • Jose Monge led the team with three shots on the night.
  • Monge and Sergio Pineros-Mayorga (Tampa, Fla.) logged the Bulls’ two shots on goal in the loss.
  • Harrison Devenish-Meares’ six saves are a season-high and tied for the fourth most in his career.

Up Next

USF will return to Corbett Stadium on Monday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m., for the conclusion of the suspended match from Oct. 5 at Tulsa. The match, which is free and open to the public, will resume from the point where it was suspended as the Green and Gold led 2-1. The two teams will play the final 21:36 seconds of the contest. The Bulls then return home on day later, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., when they welcome Jacksonville to Corbett Stadium. 

To purchase tickets for USF men’s soccer, or to purchase an Olympic Gold Pass which provides entry to all men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball home contests in 2019, visit USFBullsTix.com or call 1-800-GO-BULLS. 

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