TAMPA, Fla. (Wednesday, Oct. 19) ? Freshman Jordan Seabrook's game-winning goal in the 99th minute of overtime guided the University of South Florida men's soccer team (9-4-0, 7-1-0 BIG EAST) to a 2-1 victory over the Stetson Hatters (6-10-0, 4-2-0 Atlantic Sun) on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the USF Soccer Stadium. Despite falling behind early in the match, the Bulls battled back to win their seventh-straight home game.

Led by Seabrook, who registered his ninth goal of the season, USF out-shot Stetson 24-14, marking the third-straight contest in which the Bulls recorded 20-or-more shots in a match. With Seabrook's overtime goal, the Bulls remain unbeaten versus the Hatters in the last five meetings (4-0-1). Sophomore Kevon Neaves registered his first-career goal with the equalizer in the 86th minute. Senior Brian Gil registered his second multiple-assist match of the season with two on the night, including the feed to Seabrook for the win. In all, 12 USF players got involved in the offense, recording at least one shot on the evening.

Stetson played a very physical match, registering 21 fouls on the night. The Hatters were able to get the Bulls off of their game early on in the match however, USF regrouped to battle back for the victory.

“I think Stetson did a very good job against us,” said head coach George Kiefer. “They always play tough against us. Their coach (Sean Murphy) does a very good job in getting his guys motivated to play us. I am very happy that we found a way to win the game. This is a game in which we tied last year, which ultimately hurt us at the end of the year. The fact that our guys figured out a way to win says a lot about them.”

Stetson struck first with a goal by Tanner Wolfe in the 24th minute. A free kick by Ben Dyon was sent into the area which the USF defense could not clear cleanly. As the ball pinged around in the penalty area, Wolfe was able to get a shot on frame, which goalkeeper Dane Brenner could not save. The score gave the Hatters a 1-0 lead that they took into halftime.

USF started the second half looking to score the equalizer, pressuring the Stetson defense with as barrage of shots. In all the Bulls out-shot the Hatters 11-4 in the second half. However, USF could not find the back of the net until Neaves' 86th-minute strike on goal. As the Bulls looked to set something up offensively in the Hatters area, junior Blake Sharpe sent the ball back to Neaves. From 25-yards out, the USF midfielder ripped a shot to the lower right corner of the net. Unable to be saved by goalkeeper Jeff Smeraglino, the ball crossed the goal line, tying the game 1-all. Both Sharpe and Gil were credited with assists on the play.

In overtime, both teams created scoring chances however, it was USF that capitalized in the 99th minute when Seabrook scored the game-winning goal from the left side of the Hatters penalty area. Gil, who collected an errant pass by the Stetson defense, pushed the ball towards the left side of the field where he found Seabrook.

With the win, USF moves to 20-4-1 all-time versus the Hatters. The win also gives the Bulls seven victories at home this season ? the most under Kiefer.

USF will travel to New Brunswick, N.J. to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday, Oct. 22. Game time is 7 p.m. (EST).




USF Bulls vs. Stetson Hatters
October 19, 2005 ? USF Soccer Stadium

1 2 OT F
Stetson 1 0 0 1
USF 0 1 1 2

Scoring Summary: STET ? Wolfe 12 (unassisted), 24'; USF ? Neaves 1 (Sharpe 2, Gil 5), 86'; USF ? Seabrook 9 (Gil 6), 99'.

USF Bulls ? GK Dane Brenner, D Yohance Marshall, D Kareem Smith, D Joris Claessens, D Blake Sharpe, M Brian Gil, M Sammy Castellanos, M Jason Devenish, M Kevon Neaves, F Simon Schoendorf, F Jordan Seabrook.
Substitutes: Kris Raad, Keeron Benito, Joey Brown, Rodrigo Hidalgo.
TOTAL SHOTS: 24 (Two players with 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Two players with 3); FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: Brenner 2.

Stetson Hatters ? GK Jeff Smeraglinolo, D Rudy Mehrens, D Ryan Hare, D Ben Dyon, D Ron Fulmore, D Gabe Shibly, M Alex Minton, M Armante Marshall, M Arthur Prescott, F Brian Bell, F Tanner Wolfe.
Substitutes: Cody Dawson, Sean Marshall, Richard Porteous, Matt Myers, Josh Smith, Andy Anspaugh, Kirk Labusch.
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Wolfe 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Wolfe 2); FOULS: 21; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: Smeraglinolo 6.

Cautions and Ejections: STET ? Prescott (caution), 48'; USF ? Neaves (caution), 86'; STET ? Minton (caution), 72'..

Referee: Alex Ivanhnenko
Assistant Referees: Johnathan Dawes, Jaime Guerrera.
4th Official: Goree Fleck
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 79 degrees, 80% humidity.