TAMPA, OCT. 4, 2014 – No USF player had recorded a hat trick since Sept. 15, 2007 when Bernardo Anor and Simon Schoendorf both had one in the same game as the Bulls cruised to a 6-1 win over American. Bulls’ forward Tyler Blackwood can now add his name to the list of players to achieve that feat.

The senior from London, England had all three of No. 22 USF’s goals in its 3-0 shutout win over Temple (2-7-1, 1-1) on Saturday night at Corbett Stadium. Even more impressive is the fact that Blackwood scored all three goals in an 8-minute span in the first half.

“That was impressive,” head coach George Kiefer said. “Tyler is a very good finisher around the goal and I think you’re seeing that.”

The Bulls were in control throughout the game, matching their season high with 21 total shots while holding Temple to only five on the night.

Almost as impressive as the hat trick was the defensive dominance as the Bulls did not allow a single shot on goal while posting their third consecutive shutout.

“I think it’s all 11 guys as far as the defensive work. We really pride ourselves on being for the team and everybody working defensively,” Kiefer stated.

USF opened the scoring in the 21^st minute after Blackwood won the ball from an Owl’s defender in the box and slotted it low past goalkeeper Dan Scheck.

Blackwood made it 2-0 Bulls in the 29^th minute with a perfect header off a cross from Wesley Charpie and added his third just 23 seconds later, beating Scheck with a great strike in the box off a cross from Eduardo Maceira.

“The service today was incredible. (Wes) Charpie, (Eduardo) Maceira and Lindo (Mfeka) did great work,” Blackwood said. “It’s easy for a striker when you have the ball like that.”

With his three-goal performance tonight, Blackwood has scored all four of his goals in the past two games and now leads the team in goals this season.

Spasoje Stefanovic and Dallas Jaye combined for the shutout in goal for USF as the Bulls picked up their third straight win.

With the win USF improved to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play this season. They will look to make it four in a row when they host Tulsa next Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., and Kiefer had high praise for the Golden Hurricane after the match.

“Tulsa is a great team. I know they play really good soccer so it’s an awesome game for us and we look forward to it.”

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