The Bulls begin the crucial stretch against the Panthers looking to get back on winning track.
TAMPA (OCT. 21, 2019) – USF closes out its 2019 nonconference schedule on Tuesday night as No. 12/24 FIU travels up Interstate 75 to visit Corbett Stadium and the Bulls. First touch is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday marks the first of three straight matches that USF will play at home in its final four matches. The Bulls will also take on No. 11/6 UCF on Oct. 26 and Cincinnati on Nov. 1 – on Senior Night – to close out the stretch. The Bulls will close out the regular season at Memphis on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
USF BULLS | 8-4* (2-2* AAC)
Last Game: Oct. 18 at Temple, L, 3-1
Next Game: Oct. 26 vs. No. 11/3 UCF, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Bob Butehorn
Career Record: 150-117-34 (17th season)
At USF: 20-19-6 (Third season)
* USF records include a 2-1 win over Tulsa that counts towards AAC standings but is not recognized by the NCAA
NO. 12/24 FIU PANTHERS | 9-0-4 (4-0-1 CUSA)
Last Game: Oct. 18 vs. Charlotte, T, 0-0 (2ot)
Next Game: Nov. 1 at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Kevin Nylen
Career Record: 28-12-8 (Third season)
At FIU: Same
SCOUTING FIU
– FIU comes into its match with USF boasting a 9-0-4 record on the year, and is one of four undefeated teams left in the Top 25 … The Panthers are coming off a 0-0 draw against then-No. 10/8 Charlotte in Miami on Oct. 18.
– This marks the second time in the past three years that FIU has gone this deep into the season undefeated … During the 2017 campaign, the Panthers were one of two teams (Indiana) to go through the regular season without a loss, going 11-0-4.
– Andrew Booth, one of four players with double-digit points, leads the Panthers in scoring with 13 points (5g, 3a) while Alessandro Campoy is second with 12 (5g, 2a) … Alban Rousselet is third with 11 points (3g, 5a) and Caleb Franke fourth with 10 (5g).
– Daniel Gagliardi has played every minute in goal for FIU, recording 47 saves and boasts a 0.85 goals against average with four shutouts.
THE SERIES VS. THE PANTHERS
– USF and FIU have met 30 times prior to Tuesday night with the Panthers holding a slight 14-13-3 lead in the all-time series … The Green and Gold are 7-7 in matches played against FIU in Tampa.
– The Bulls are 3-2 against the Panthers in their last five meetings, including a thrilling 3-2 double overtime win in Miami last season.
LAST TIME OUT
– USF nearly outshot Temple two-to-one on the night, and held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal, however, the Owls led in the one category that mattered as Temple handed the Bulls a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia on Oct. 18.
– After the Owls took a 2-0 lead, USFs Emilio Ycaza cut the Temple advantage to one, 2-1, finding the back of the net off a corner … The Bulls kept pushing, looking to get the equalizer, however, could not convert … Temple added an insurance goal, for the final margin, in the 86th minute.
– On the night, the Bulls outshot Temple, 14-8, with six of the 14 shots coming from Henrique Gallina and Josue Monge who had three apiece … Cooper Blay got his second career start – in his second career match – and turned in one save in 90 minutes of play.
FLANAGAN EARNS AAC WEEKLY HONORS
– Avionne Flanagan was named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) weekly Honor Roll on Monday after posting a six-point week … Flanagan had two goals and two assists; scored a goal and an assist in the Bulls’ completed 2-1 match with Tulsa on Oct. 14, and followed the next day with a goal and assist against Jacksonville.
BULLS CLOSE PRESEASON WITH 3-0 EXHIBITION RECORD
– USF closed out its 2019 preseason schedule with a 3-0 record, capped off by a 1-0 win over the University of Tampa in the 41st annual Rowdies Cup at Corbett Stadium on Aug. 24 … Freshman forward Victor Claudel netted the game-winner on a penalty kick in the 85’.
– The Bulls also defeated Eastern Florida State College (2-0) on Aug. 17 and Eckerd College (1-0) on Aug. 21 in their first two exhibition matches.
BILLHARDT & FLANAGAN EARN PRESEASON AAC HONORS
– USF men’s soccer standouts Avionne Flanagan and Adrian Billhardt and have been named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Preseason All-Conference Team.
– Flanagan finished 2018 with Second Team All-AAC honors … He played in all 17 matches for the Bulls and started in 16 … He scored two goals on the year off 15 shots … His goal against Florida Atlantic marked his first game-winner and was a crucial turning point for USF, which posted a 3-1-2 record in its next six matches.
– Billhardt earned preseason all-conference honors after recording four points on four assists in 2018 … A great technical player, he is creative and extremely dangerous one-on-one with a big left foot … Billhardt was also recognized during his freshman season, in 2017, when he was named First Team All-AAC and to the All-Rookie Team.
BULLS TABBED FOURTH IN AAC PRESEASON POLL
– USF was voted by the league’s head coaches to finish fourth in this year’s preseason American Athletic Conference Coaches poll … The Bulls trail only UCF, SMU and UConn … Temple, Memphis, Tulsa and Cincinnati round out the bottom four.
UP NEXT
Following Tuesday night, USF will take on No. 11/6 UCF on Oct. 26 and Cincinnati on Nov. 1 to close out the regular season home schedule … All home matches are at 7 p.m. … The Bulls will close out the regular season on Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. ET, at Memphis.
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.
– #GoBulls –
