FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Aug. 31, 2018

Web Release:  

 

Bulls Fall 1-0 to Virginia Tech in Home Opener

USF goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares had nine saves on the night, a career-high for the junior from Australia

 

TAMPA, Fla. August 31­, 2018 – USF men’s soccer fell 1-0 to Virginia Tech on Friday night in front of nearly 1,000 fans at Corbett Stadium.

 

Despite taking over 20 shots, four of which coming on frame, USF (0-3-0) did not connect with the back of the net while Tech (3-0-0) scored in the 24^th minute. Virginia Tech’s Kristo Strickler punched in a slow-moving ball on the ground after a corner kick placed the ball in the six-box, which was first headed by teammate Marc Hoppler before being deflected to Strickler’s feet.

 

"As a coach you always look at the positives and I really felt like we made adjustments at halftime and came out and deserved at least a tie and should've won," head coach Bob Butehorn said. "We're getting chances, we're getting good looks, and this was a better game, by far our best game."

 

USF junior goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares (Sydney, Australia) had his second stellar night on the season, earning nine saves while allowing the goal on the set piece on the night. Devenish-Meares, who had just set his career-high in saves on Monday night against Michigan, set his career-high for the second time this week with nine on Friday night.

 

The Bulls had their best offensive showing of the season, barreling in 21 shots, with eight coming at the feet of sophomore attacker Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany). Three of Billhardts eight attempts came on frame, saved by Tech goalkeeper Mathijs Swaneveld. Notably, Tomasz Skublak (Hamilton, Canada) had four attempts on the night, including a header on frame. Freshman Marcus Murphy (Orange Park, Fla.) and sophomore Jonathan Rosales (Kissimmee, Fla.) had two shots apiece. Richard Laval (Madrid, Spain), Josue Monge (Philadelphia), Trey Jackson (Ocala, Fla.), Emilio Ycaza (St. Petersburg, Fla.), and Freddy Gil (West Palm Beach, Fla.) each had a shot of their own to round out the Bulls’ offensive efforts.

 

Quotable

"The energy we had tonight to play as well as we did,  it was from our fans and this place,” Butehorn said. “I'm going to say that they really felt excited about playing in front of them and once they felt that energy they kept pushing forward."

 

Notable

• Harrison Devenish-Meares had nine saves on the night, a career high for the junior goalkeeper.
• Adrian Billhardt had eight of the Bulls’ 21 shots on the night, three of which came on frame.
• Tomasz Skublak had four shots on the night, with one on frame. 

 

Up Next

The Bulls will continue their two-game home tilt when No. 20 Creighton travels to Tampa to face the Bulls on Labor Day, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Corbett Stadium. 

 

 

About USF Men’s Soccer

The Bulls concluded the 2017 regular season with a 6-6-4 overall record and finished fifth in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-2-2 mark. Head Coach Bob Butehorn leads the Bulls in his second season at the helm in 2018. 

 

Follow the men’s soccer team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.

 

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