TAMPA, Fla. ? Capitalizing twice on the opposing keeper being out of position, the University of South Florida men's soccer team defeated Saint Louis University 2-0 in exhibition play, Tuesday night at the USF Soccer Stadium.
The win marks the second for the Bulls in as many years over Saint Louis in preseason play. USF defeated the Billikens on the road last year by a 2-0 margin as well. In that contest, Saint Louis carried a No. 25 preseason ranking. This season the Billikens are ranked as high as No. 19.
The Bulls recorded the first goal at the 24' of the first half after Saint Louis goalie Ross Kaufman was drawn out of position on a high bouncer at the top of the box. Midfielder Jason Devenish waited as the ball deflected off a Billikens' defender to where he was positioned at the top-left of the box. After briefly settling the ball, Devenish fired a shot with his left foot that reached the back of the net for the unassisted goal and his first of the preseason.
The second goal came at the 45', as newcomers Tony Taylor and Marshall Schultz combined for the score. Schultz nailed a shot from the outside-center of the box, which substituted keeper Pat Disbennett misplayed, and Taylor easily put away as the Saint Louis goalie tried to scramble back into position.
The Bulls and Billikens each recorded seven shots in the contest, with two each being on goal. USF keeper Diego Restrepo tallied the two saves and newcomer Jeff Attinella preserved the shutout for the final 17 minutes of the match.
With the win, USF improves to 2-0-0 in exhibition play this year, while Saint Louis drops to 0-1-0. The Bulls have outscored opponents 4-0 in the two victories.
The Bulls will look to keep the good fortune going this Saturday as they head to Charlottesville, Va., for perhaps their toughest test of the preseason. USF will face-off against preseason No. 5 UVA at 7 p.m. from Klockner Stadium. The Cavaliers only exhibition match thus far against Virginia Commonwealth was cancelled due to weather on Sun., Aug. 19.
