MIAMI, Fla. (August 25, 2006) ? A header by sophomore Joris Claessens led the No. 9-ranked University of South Florida men's soccer team (1-0-0) to a 1-0 victory over in-state rival Florida International (0-1-0) on Friday, Aug. 25 at University Park.
The 23rd-minute goal by the Orlando, Fla., native gave the Bulls their fourth season-opening victory in the last five years. On a corner kick by midfielder Kevon Neaves, Claessens headed the ball towards the back post past goalkeeper Shawn Crowe to give USF to 1-0 advantage. The goal was the first of the season for Claessens and the fourth of his career. Neaves was credited with his first assist of the season on the goal.
Goalkeeper Dane Brenner registered four saves en route to his 28th-career victory and 13th shutout as a Bull. The clean sheet was the first-ever for the High Point, N.C., native over the Golden Panthers.
USF out-shot FIU 15-8, holding the Golden Panthers to just four shots on net. Sophomore Jordan Seabrook (last year's team leader in shots) continued where he left off from his Freshman All-American season, leading all USF players with six shots (three on frame). Form the match USF kept Crowe busy registering seven shots on the senior goalkeeper. Following a fairly even match through the first 45 minutes, USF dominated the Golden Panthers, out-shooting the team from Miami, 10-3, in the second half.
The win marks the 11th all-time over FIU and gives head coach George Kiefer 42 for his career.
USF will head home to the USF Soccer Stadium to face the Fordham Rams on Sunday, Aug. 27, kicking off the home portion of the 2006 season. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
No. 9 USF Bulls at FIU Golden Panthers
August 25, 2005 ? University Park
1 2 F
FIU 0 0 0
USF 1 0 1
Scoring Summary: USF ? Claessens 1 (Neaves, 1), 23'.
USF Bulls ? GK Dane Brenner, D Yohance Marshall, D Blake Sharpe, D Kareem Smith, D Joris Claessens, MF Jason Devenish, MF, Kris Raad, MF Kevon Neaves, MF Anthony Wallace, F Jordan Seabrook, F Hunter West.
Substitutes: Rodrigo Hidalgo, Joey Brown, Simon Schoendorf, Ogi Perucica.
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Seabrook 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Seabrook 3); FOULS: 7; OFFSIDES: None; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVE: Brenner 4.
FIU Golden Panthers ? GK Shawn Crowe, D Raoul Voss, D Ainsey Deer, D Oli Birgisson, D Chris Handy, MF Edgard Correa, MF Bruno Barbosa, MF Dadi Kristjansson, F David Hope, F Levi Coleman, F Chris Caporaletti.
Substitutes: Cesar DeOliveira, Phill Fisher, Sheldon Jardine, Kyle Emerson, Sina Ebrahimi.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Hope 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players with 1); FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: None; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: Crowe 6.
Cautions and Ejections: FIU ? Ebrahimi (caution), 22'; USF ? Devenish (caution), 50'; USF ? Claessens (caution), 65'.
Referee: Brian Poeshel
Assistant Referees: Dan Meeroff, Enrique Zamudio
4th Official: N/A
Weather: 81 degrees, cloudy.
