TAMPA (AUG. 21, 2019) – USF men’s soccer standouts Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.) and Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany) and have been named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced on Wednesday.
In addition, the Bulls have been voted by the league’s head coaches to finish fourth in this year’s preseason coaches’ poll, behind UCF, SMU and UConn, respectively.
“We are extremely happy and appreciative as a team that Avionne and Adrian were recognized by the conference as preseason all-conference selections,” said head coach Bob Butehorn. “However, one thing that we need to keep in mind is that this a preseason honor and there is a lot of soccer to be played. It’s not where you are now at this point of the season, but where you finish.”
Flanagan, a junior defender, finished the 2018 campaign with Second Team All-AAC honors after a stellar sophomore season. He played in all 17 matches for the Bulls and started in 16, scoring two goals on the year off 15 shots, 10 of which were on frame. 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. Flanagan recorded over 1,100 minutes for the Bulls, including four games where he played the duration of the match and three of which were double-overtime games.
A junior forward, Billhardt joins Flanagan on the preseason all-conference team after recording four points on four assists in 2018 for USF. 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.
The Bulls take the pitch on Aug. 21 for their second exhibition match of the season when they face Eckerd College. Following Wednesday’s match, USF closes out its exhibition schedule against Tampa on Aug. 24 in the 41st annual Rowdies Cup, which will benefit the Children’s Cancer Center of Tampa. All exhibition matches will be played at Corbett Stadium and begin at 7 p.m.
USF’s home opener is slated for Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., when the Bulls welcome Big East foe Marquette to Corbett Stadium.
To purchase single-game tickets for USF men’s soccer, or the Olympic Gold Pass, which provides entry to all men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball home contests in 2019, visitUSFBullsTix.com or call 1-800-GO-BULLS.
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