TAMPA, OCT. 20, 2016 – USF hasn’t let a lot of adversity get in the way of a memorable conference run this season.

Riddled with injuries, head coach George Kiefer’s squad has climbed its way up to the top of the league standings. USF (6-6-2, 3-1) is in a three-way tie for first in the American Athletic Conference heading into Saturday’s 7 p.m. home match against Memphis.

“It’s a good soccer conference and we’re pleased with our position right now,” Kiefer said.

Using a never-quit mentality, USF put itself in great conference position by shocking the college soccer world last Saturday. Without injured Nazeem Bartman, one of their top scorers, the Bulls jumped ahead with Melvin Becket’s goal in the 22nd minute and held on for a 1-0 victory at then-No. 13 UConn. USF snapped the Huskies’ seven-match win streak and held The American’s top scoring team scoreless for just the fourth time this season.

“I thought the guys really stayed very disciplined throughout the match. I thought they looked very comfortable in front of a large crowd,” Kiefer said. “I think you saw our schedule we’ve played pay off for us because we’ve played a bunch of top teams.”

Kiefer has been extra impressed by the mental toughness displayed by USF, which has already faced four top-25 teams while dealing with more than its fair share of setbacks.

“I think when you look at what this team is going through this season, it’s great because it’s just soccer. Later in life, any guy on this team could be confronted with maybe a business that isn’t doing well, or they get thrown a few curveballs, like something happening in their home,” Kiefer said. “We’re learning as a team how to apply adversity to real life. That is what you get out of sports.”

Sticking together and not making any excuses has suited USF well in the most pressure-packed portion of the season – conference play. Winners of three of four league matches, USF can strengthen its regular season standing even more by getting past Memphis (7-6-1, 1-2-1).

 

“Memphis is a very dangerous team. They’re good on restarts and they have one of the better players in the conference, Raul Gonzalez,” Kiefer said. “They’re a team the last two regular seasons we’ve gone to overtime with and tied them, and actually lost to them at home. It’s a game that has our complete attention.”

Kiefer also hopes the prime time matchup has the attention of Bulls supporters in the Bay Area. Corbett Stadium has welcomed in an average of 705 fans per home match this season and Kiefer knows an even larger crowd can really boost his Bulls.

“The energy you get from a crowd, it speeds up your attack a lot and guys play with a little more urgency,” Kiefer said. “It’s just something about good energy with most sports that lets you play a little tougher, a little faster and enjoy it more. A big crowd is a big, big piece.”

Captain Smith Helps Bulls Shut Out UConn

 

Melvin Becket provided the goal USF needed, but several other players played a big role in the 1-0 win at UConn.

Senior captain Graham Smith played all 90 minutes and helped anchor a back line that didn’t fold despite UConn taking eight shots and four corner kicks.

“He’s been very solid for us going down the stretch,” Kiefer said.

 

Figbe Reeling In Conference Honors

 

Another key anchor for the back line, Prosper Figbe, has made a habit of collecting top conference honors this season.

The sophomore defender from Nigeria has been named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive time. Figbe has earned the award four times this season while helping the Bulls post six shutouts.

“I think these last two weekly awards have come because he’s doing a better job of organizing the players around him,” Kiefer said. “He’s maturing as a center back and understanding his role to make the whole team good defensively. Good center backs organize the players in front of him to do less work.”

 

The Bulls ended the 2015 campaign in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and an 11-6-3 overall record (5-1-2 The American).  Head coach George Kiefer was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) East Region Coach of the Year. Kiefer led USF to its eighth NCAA tournament appearance in the past nine years and earned the No. 2 ranking in the NSCAA East Region. The Bulls posted double-digit wins for the ninth time under Kiefer in 14 seasons and went undefeated at home during the regular season.

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