University of South Florida
Syracuse
USF Stumbles Against Syracuse, 1-0
October 27, 2007 | Men's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. ? The No. 20 University of South Florida men's soccer team battled rainy conditions and suffered its fourth loss of the season Saturday night, as it fell 1-0 at Syracuse.
The Orange, 6-6-4 (3-6-0), found the only goal early in the first half as sophomore Hansen Woodruff took an unassisted ball on a breakaway and managed a shot over the head of USF goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who made his first career start in the net tonight.
The fifth-minute score was the only one Attinella and the USF defense would allow through 90 minutes of play, however the offense could post an equalizer.
The Bulls, 10-4-2 (5-4-1), out-shot Syracuse 10-5, but Orange keeper Robert Cavicchia registered four saves to stifle the scoring attempts and keep USF scoreless for just the second time this year.
"We were unlucky in getting a goal tonight," said head coach George Kiefer, "but I was happy in the way we managed a very slick field. We created some good chances on the difficult turf and I felt we really pinned them in the whole second half."
Freshman Bernardo Anor led USF in total shots with five, followed by senior Simon Schoendorf and junior Jason Devinish with two each. Newcomer Fernando Gonzalez added one as well.
"Their keeper made a great save on a shot by Bernardo," added Kiefer. "We were just unlucky."
Attinella recorded three saves in his debut.
The loss hurts the team's chances of capturing its second BIG EAST Red Division crown. USF has tallied 16 points in conference play, currently tied for second place in the division with Louisville and one point behind St. John's.
Louisville takes on Rutgers Sun., Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., while St. John's and DePaul square off Saturday night. The Bulls and Red Storm still have a head-to-head date looming in the season finale from the USF Soccer Stadium next Sat., Nov. 3.
A first or second place finish in the Red Division will earn the team a first-round bye in the BIG EAST Championship, beginning Wed., Nov. 7 from campus sites. USF has already clinched a berth in the tournament.
Game time against St. John's will be announced very soon. An early afternoon or late evening start can be expected, following the announcement that the USF Football team will play Cincinnati at 3:30 p.m. that Saturday.
Tickets to all USF home matches are $5 for adults, $3 for youth 16-and-under and $2 for groups of 10 or more. Season ticket packages are also available. Call 1-800-GoBulls or visit www.GoUSFBulls.com for details. Spectators will have the opportunity to get player and coach autographs at the conclusion of every home game down on the field.
Fans can also catch all home games on the USF Press Pass. Live video and audio streaming is available for all matches played in the USF Soccer Stadium with Jim Henderson delivering the play-by-play call.
