DALLAS, OCT. 29, 2016 –  The University of South Florida men’s soccer team clinched the American Athletic Conference regular season title in dramatic fashion Saturday night. The Bulls scored in the 103^rd minute to defeat SMU 1-0 at Westcott Field.

 

USF (8-6-2, 5-1-0 The American), which entered the match in sole possession of first place, clinched the regular season title in double-overtime. With one game left in the regular season, the Bulls claimed the title thanks to losses by UConn and Cincinnati Saturday night. The Huskies dropped a 2-0 decision to Memphis and the Bearcats suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Tulsa.

 

The USF defense shined in 100 minutes of action, holding the Mustangs scoreless. Senior defender Liam McNally (Swansea, Wales) scored his first goal of the year in the 103^rd minute. The Bulls gained a corner kick, their second within seconds, the ball bobbled around the box before McNally connected.

 

Spasoje Stefanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) turned in his third consecutive clean sheet and made three saves, including one in the final minutes of regulation.

 

 

QUOTABLES:

 

Head coach George Kiefer on clinching the American Athletic Conference Regular season title:  

“It’s a great feeling. We had some results go our way and tonight was a good performance. To be fair, SMU gave us everything we could handle. I always love playing Kevin Hudson’s teams. They had chance that we were able to steer away. We did a good job on restarts, but to beat them on a restart, that was nice. I’m very pleased with our guys tonight.”

 

Senior Liam McNally scoring the game-winning goal:   

“It felt great. It was a good game. They came at us all game and it was just a battle, it was great to get the goal in the second overtime. The goal is nice, but the clean sheet is what we take pride in, especially as a defender.”

 

KEY STAT:

USF trailed in shots 12-11, but the Bulls took five shots on goal to SMU’s three.

 

NOTABLES:  

McNally’s goal is his first of the season. 11 different Bulls have scored this season.

 

USF’s eight shutouts this season ties for first in the American Athletic Conference. Spasoje Stefanovic accounts for seven of the Bulls’ shutouts this year.

 

Stefanovic’s scoreless streak has now reached 283 consecutive minutes.

 

Up Next:

USF returns to Tampa for its final home game of the regular season. The Bulls will host Temple Nov. 5 for a 7 p.m. match-up. USF will honor its seniors in a pregame ceremony. The Bulls have the chance to clinch the American Athletic Conference regular season title and host the league’s annual tournament as the top-seed Nov. 11 and 13.

 

The Bulls have reached the NCAA Tournament in nine of the last 11 years, including an 11-6-3 record and a second round NCAA appearance last season. 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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