TAMPA, Fla. (Saturday, Oct. 29) ? Sophomore Rodrigo Hidalgo's “golden goal” in the 102nd minute of double overtime lifted the University of South Florida men's soccer team (11-5-0, 9-2-0 BIG EAST) to a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-6-2, 6-3-2 BIG EAST) to close out the 2005 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the USF Soccer Stadium. The late score gave USF its eight-straight home victory ? the longest home winning streak since winning nine from Oct. 22, 1995 to Oct. 26, 1996.

Led by Hidalgo, who registered both a goal and an assist in the contest, USF battled back from a one-goal deficit late in the contest. Freshman defender Yohance Marshall scored his first-career goal during the match to tie the game, giving the Bulls a chance to win it in overtime. The overtime contest was the fourth (3-1-0) of the season and the 96th (35-20-41) in USF's history. Cincinnati was led by Mike Dwyer, who gave the Bearcats an early 1-0 lead with his fourth goal of the season. USF goalkeeper Dane Brenner (11-5-0, 1.35 GAA) recorded four saves in his 11th win of the season. The 11 victories are the most for the High Point, N.C., native in a single season.

Hidalgo led all players with six shots on the night, while Cincinnati's Omar Cummings paced the Bearcats with five shots. In all, USF held a slight edge in shots, 15-14.

“I think Cincinnati is a very good team,” said head coach George Kiefer. “Their two front guys (Cummings and Kenny Anaba) are two of the more dangerous forwards in the country. I was really happy with how we played. This was the best performance that we have put in so far this year as far as moving the ball and keeping possession. It felt like we had the ball for 80 percent of the match. To be able to win in overtime is great. I think this was a very big win for us as far as getting into the NCAA Tournament.”

Pressuring USF early, Cincinnati registered nine shots in the first half, including one by Dwyer in the 32nd minute which gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. From just outside the 18-yard box Cummings sent a shot on frame which struck the crossbar and landed at the feet of Dwyer. The Cincinnati midfielder “one-timed” a shot past goalkeeper Dane Brenner to take a one-goal advantage. The Bulls were unable to muster much offense in the first half, registering just two shots, heading into halftime.

USF came out in the second half, pressuring the Cincinnati defense. The Bulls held the ball in the Bearcats third of the field for much of the half, outshooting Cincinnati 10-3. However, goalkeeper Mike Vessells made some difficult saves to keep USF from getting on the board. In the 80th minute Marshall drew the match even at 1-all with his first goal of 2005. Hidalgo took a shot on goal off of a 20-yard freekick. The shot was saved by Vessells, however Marshall was there to collect the rebound and head the ball across the goal line. Hidalgo was credited with his 11th assist of the season on the score.

Neither team could score the go-ahead goal in regulation as the match went into overtime.

The game ended when Hidalgo collected a weak clearance at the center circle during the 102nd minute of play and struck a shot from 30 yards out. The shot rocketed past Vessells to give USF the 2-1 win. The goal was the fourth of the season for the USF sophomore.

The win was the ninth conference victory of the season fro the Bulls ? the most conference win in a single season by a USF squad. The win also was the first for Kiefer over the Bearcats (1-3-1) and improved the Bulls' record to 6-5-2 all-time versus Cincinnati.

USF ? the 2005 Red Division Champions - will next host a quarterfinal match in the BIG EAST Championship next weekend (opponent, date and time yet to be determined).


USF Bulls vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
October 29, 2005 ? USF Soccer Stadium

1 2 OT 2OT F
Cincinnati 1 0 0 0 1
USF 0 1 0 1 2

Scoring Summary: CIN ? Dwyer 4 (Cummings 7), 32'; USF ? Marshall 1 (Hidalgo 11), 80'; USF ? Hidalgo 4 (unassisted), 102'.

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 Kris Raad, F Simon Schoendorf, F Rodrigo Hidalgo.
Substitutes: Jordan Seabrook, Joey Brown.
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Hidalgo 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Hidalgo 4); FOULS: 16; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: Brenner 4.

Cincinnati Bearcats ? GK Mike Vessells, D Amir Inker, D Matt Hayden, D Brad Simpson, D Ewan Blair, M Mike Dwyer, M Kwame Sarkodie, M Noah Davidson, M Sam Miller, F Kenny Anaba, F Omar Cummings.
Substitutes: Tony Morelli, Landry Gray, Sean Hassman.
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Cummings 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Five players with 1); FOULS: 20; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: Vessells 6.

Cautions and Ejections: USF ? Schoendorf (caution), 29'; USF ? Hidalgo (caution), 45'; USF ? Brown (caution), 49'; CIN ? Davidson (caution), 58'; CIN ? Blair (caution), 67'; CIN ? Inker (caution), 80'; CIN ? Dwyer (caution), 84'.

Referee: Chris Kenny
Assistant Referees: Steven Olsen, Ed Fiumara
4th Official: Goree Fleck
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees, 72% humidity.