Alfred Perez sends the Bulls to the title match on Sunday at 1 p.m.
MIAMI (Nov. 10, 2022) – The No. 3-seeded University of South Florida men’s soccer team defeated second-seeded SMU on Thursday night, 1-0, in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament at the FIU Soccer Stadium in Miami, and it’s very fitting that a Miami native scored the game-winning goal to provide a little Magic City Madness for the Bulls. South Florida will play in the championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN+) against either No. 5-seeded Memphis or top-seeded FIU.
The Green and Gold, who have now won five-straight matches and are unbeaten in 11 of their last 13, advance to their fourth AAC championship match (2022, 2016, 2014, 2013) winning the inaugural AAC Championship in 2013.
The Bulls are now 8-5-4 on the year.
After the Mustangs were called for a foul on South Florida in the box in the 30’, Miami’s own Alfred Perez stepped to the spot and fired a shot that slightly deflected off SMU goalkeeper Bram Kaarsgaren’s left hand and up into the top of the goal to give the Bulls the lead. That was all South Florida needed offensively but it stepped up defensively en route to the victory.
SMU had its opportunities during the match outshooting the Bulls, 18-11, while also recording 14 of the 18 corner kicks during the contest.
The Mustangs had their best opportunities in the second half, in particular, the 70’ when The American Offensive Player of the Year, Knut Ahlander had the chance to get the equalizer by way of a penalty kick on the same spot the Perez stepped up to. Ahlander, however, stared down South Florida goalkeeper Jackson Weyman and then proceeded to push his offering wide left.
Nine minutes later SMU looked like it had tied the match at one-all but the goal was taken down due to the Mustangs being offsides.
South Florida kept up the pressure down the stretch and had a great chance in the 83’ when Josh Gomina came within 10 yards of the goal and fired a shot that Kaarsgaren kicked away at the last second.
Weyman and the Bulls’ defense dug in, though, and secured the team’s fourth shutout of the season. Weyman finished the night with three saves.
Scoring Summary
USF – Alfred Perez (Penalty kick; 30:00)
1 2 F
USF 1 0 0
SMU 0 0 0
Shots: USF 11, SMU 18
Shots on Goal: USF 7, SMU 3
Saves: USF 3, SMU 6
Corner Kicks: USF 4, SMU 14
Fouls: USF 15, SMU 17
Notable
- South Florida’s tournament win over SMU raises its record to 5-9-4 all-time against SMU.
- The Bulls are now 10-5 all-time in the American Athletic Conference Tournament and 3-2 as a No. 3 seed.
- Alfred Perez’s goal was his second game-winner of the season and the third of his career spanning both Harvard and South Florida.
- In addition to Weyman, Sergio Pineros-Mayorga, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Takeru Moriyama and Brian Schaefer all played a complete 90 minutes.
Up Next
With the win over SMU, South Florida advances to its second American Athletic Conference Championship match where they will face the winner of the second semifinal contest between No. 5-seeded Memphis and top-seeded FIU on Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN+) for the title.
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 29 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 20 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
The University of South Florida men’s soccer team was well represented on the AAC postseason All-Conference Team in 2021 with four players earning honors. Highlighting the Bulls’ honorees was the American Athletic Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Year, Kazuna Takase, along with first-team selection Shion Soga. In addition, Takase was also selected to the All-Conference Second Team along with Salvatore Mazzaferro, and Josh Gomina was named to the AAC All-Rookie Team.
–#GoBulls –
