The Bulls dominated offensively, despite the setback, outshooting the Golden Hurricane, 12-6 on the night.
TULSA, Okla. (April 9, 2021) – The University of South Florida men’s soccer team held the upper hand offensively for 83 minutes, but it took just one corner kick and a header to end USF’s season as Tulsa handed the Bulls a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on Friday night at Hurricane Soccer & Track Stadium. With the loss, USF will miss the American Athletic Conference Tournament and end the season 4-6 on the year. The Golden Hurricane improve to 6-3-1.
The Bulls outshot Tulsa 12-6 on the night and 5-2 in shots on goal and held an 11-1 shots advantage – 5-0 in shots on goal – with just under 20 minutes left in the contest. Also, both sides had to overcome rainy and windy conditions and two delays that consisted of a one-hour and 23-minute lightning delay in the first half and a 14-minute delay when the lights shut down with 2:30 left in the match.
Tulsa’s Mariano Fazio broke the scoreless tie sending a header past USF goalkeeper Kazuna Takase with just over seven minutes left in the contest. The score, which was sent to the far-right post, came off a corner kick initiated by Marcus Moreno.
The Bulls had more than their share of opportunities on the night, hitting the crossbar and post once apiece, and going just over the crossbar twice. USF also put tremendous pressure on Tulsa goalkeeper Lucas Cline, forcing him to make multiple diving saves to keep the match scoreless after point-blank offerings from Brian Schafer, Josue Monge, and Victor Claudel. The Bulls, however, were unable to find the back of the goal.
Claudel led the way for USF with a match-high three shots, including one on frame, while Monge and Oscar Resano also had two shots apiece with one on goal. A total of five players combined for the Bulls’ five shots on goal.
Takase finished the night with one save.
Scoring Summary
Tulsa – Mariano Fazio (Marcos Mareno; 82:50)
1 2 F
USF 0 0 0
TULSA 0 1 1
Shots: USF 12, TU 6
Shots on Goal: USF 5, TU 2
Saves: USF 1, TU 5
Corner Kicks: USF 4, TU 5
Fouls: USF 10, TU 9
Notable
- USF’s loss to Tulsa drops its record in the all-time series to 8-3-2, and snaps its four-match winning streak to the Golden Hurricane … Also, the Bulls fall to 3-1 all-time against Tulsa in at Hurricane Stadium.
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 –
