Season High Four Goals Propels USF to Win
TAMPA, NOV. 8, 2014 – Fourth-seeded USF scored a season-high four goals in its 4-2 win against fifth-seeded Memphis in the American Athletic Conference quarterfinals on a rainy Saturday night at Corbett Stadium.
The Bulls (10-7-1, 4-3-1 American) jumped all over the Tigers from the start and opened the scoring in the 29th minute on great shot by Eduardo Maceira. Making his first-career start, the freshman from Caracas, Venezuela took a pass from Marcus Epps in the box and placed it right over Memphis goalkeeper Cody Uzcategui to give USF a 1-0 lead heading into the half.
“From the moment we started tonight everyone was flying and on the same page. I’m glad we can come out of here with a victory and looking forward now to play at UConn for the semifinals,” senior defender Wesley Charpie said after posting two assists on the night.
USF wasted no time adding to its lead after the break as Maceira headed home his second goal of the game just 20 seconds into the second half. Senior forward Edwin Moalosi found Charpie down the right side, who made a perfect cross into the box where Maceira headed it home for his fifth goal of the year.
A little less than 6 minutes later, Moalosi got in on the scoring action himself with a hard strike from about 15 yards out that took a slight deflection off a Memphis defender and found the back of the net.
“Edwin did a really good job leading the group and I heard him talking all night and keeping guys focused,” head coach George Kiefer said.
The Bulls kept the pressure on and made it 4-0 in the 59th minute when sophomore forward Marcus Epps scored his third goal of the season on a breakaway off a great counter attack that was started by Moalosi.
Memphis (9-7-2, 3-4-1 American) got a goal back in the 69th minute when Raul Gonzalez hammered one home off a cross from Will Linder, who would score later in the game on a penalty kick to account for the final margin.
USF outshot Memphis 16-12 on the night and for the seventh time this season scored three or more goals with five different players recording a point. Coach Kiefer was pleased that his team was able to avenge its loss to Memphis two weeks ago and snap a two-game losing streak to the Tigers.
“I felt like with our approach being right and fully respecting them that the score would be like it was and I’m glad that they did that.”
With the win USF improved to 13-2-3 in postseason home games under Kiefer and booked its trip to the conference semifinals. The Bulls will travel to Storrs, Conn., where they’ll take on top-seeded UConn next Friday, Nov. 14 after the Huskies prevailed over Temple 5-0 in their quarterfinal match.
“UConn is a great team and it’s always going to be a great game and I know my guys love playing in front of big crowds so we look forward to it.”
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