Bulls Drop Season Opener at FGCU
TAMPA, AUG. 29, 2014 – The USF men’s soccer team was unable to come away with a win on the road in the season opener at Florida Gulf Coast.
Two second-half goals by Felipe DeSousa and Kamar Marriott led the Eagles (1-0-0) to a 2-0 victory after a scoreless first half in Fort Myers.
Senior midfielder Edwin Moalosi led the Bulls with four shots and junior goalkeeper Spasoje Stefanovic was solid, making six saves on the night.
USF (0-1-0) controlled play in the first half, outshooting FGCU 9-5, and nearly took the lead in the 13th minute when Marcus Epps hit the crossbar from 20 yards out.
It seemed likely that the Bulls would get on the board after a couple of early shots in the second half but Eagles’ goalkeeper Nathan Ingham made two of his five saves for the game to keep the score locked at zero.
The scoreless tie was broken in the 66th minute when a FGCU player was taken down in the box and was rewarded a penalty kick. Felipe DeSousa converted from the spot to make it 1-0 Eagles with less than a half hour to play.
The Bulls generated a couple of chances late but were unable to break through FGCU’s defense and get the equalizer.
With all the Bulls’ players pushed up for a late corner kick, the Eagles were able to strike again on the counter attack in the 87th minute. Kamar Marriott scored into an open net on a three-on-one breakaway to make it 2-0 and seal the victory for FGCU despite being outshot 17-10 for the game.
USF will look to pick up its first win of the season when No. 13 Akron comes to town for the home opener on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The men’s soccer program has been one of the most successful teams on campus over the years, making it to seven straight NCAA tournaments and eight of the last nine. They return six starters and 17 letterwinners from last season’s American Athletic Conference Championship team. Head coach George Kiefer has also led the Bulls to two Elite Eight appearances and two conference titles in his 12 seasons as head coach. Purchase season and single-game tickets HERE.
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