TAMPA, SEPT. 11, 2015 – Senior defender Brendan Hines-Ike scored his first goal in a Bulls’ uniform on a penalty kick in the 49^th minute to lead USF to a 2-1 win over Georgia Southern on Friday night at Corbett Stadium.

The victory helped the Bulls (3-2) improve to 3-0 at home this season and started their four-game homestand on a positive note.

“This was a good win, Georgia Southern was a good team,” head coach George Kiefer said. “The amount of chances we’re creating, even against Notre Dame and Indiana, we definitely have some potency, it’s just a matter of taking care of those chances and putting them in the back of the net.”

The Bulls got the scoring started thanks to the first-career goal for junior forward Nazeem Bartman. The junior college transfer took advantage of a perfect pass from Kendan Anderson, putting the ball over the top of Eagles’ goalkeeper Jack Falle from about 12 yards out.

“It’s an amazing feeling man,” Bartman said in regards to his first goal at the Division I level. “I’ve been unlucky since the season started and I’ve been working in practice just to get my one goal and it came tonight, so hopefully more will come this season now.”

That accounted for all the scoring in the opening half as the Bulls went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead after outshooting Georgia Southern, 5-2.

Just minutes into the second half, USF added to its lead when Bartman was taken down in the box and drew a penalty kick. Hines-Ike calmly converted to put the Bulls up 2-0 in the 49^th minute.

USF’s two-goal lead was short-lived, however, as the Eagles (1-3) were the beneficiary of an own goal by Bulls’ defender Brandon Riley less than two minutes later to cut the deficit to one.

“I felt like the one goal that we scored on ourselves was just a complete mishap, but I watch the EPL (English Premier League) every Saturday morning and you see that stuff,” Kiefer said.

The final 40 minutes was a fast-paced affair as both sides created multiple quality opportunities. USF nearly added another two or three goals, but were stymied by Falle on multiple occasions.

One of the Bulls’ best chances came in the 67^th minute, when Bartman had his goal-bound shot saved off the line by an Eagles’ defender.

Anderson also had a golden opportunity with a pair of shots in the 81^st minute following an incredible individual run down the right side of the field, but was turned away by Falle on the initial attempt and headed the rebound over the bar. The junior forward led all players with four shots on the night.

USF’s final attempt to add to its lead came with a little over two minutes remaining when Falle came up big again, robbing Michael Bajza (Tampa) from point-blank range after a great cross by Marcus Epps. The Bulls outshot the Eagles, 10-3, in the second half and 15-5 for the game.

Fortunately, two goals was all the Bulls needed as they buckled down defensively to earn their third win of the season. Junior goalkeeper Spasoje Stefanovic put together another solid performance, making four saves on the night.

With the win, the Bulls improved their record to 70-3-6 at home under Kiefer when scoring at least two goals.

The Bulls continue their homestand on Monday, Sept. 14 against North Florida at 7 p.m. USF is 28-7-7 all-time under Kiefer against in-state opponents.

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