BOX SCORE
TAMPA, Fla. ? The No. 17 University of South Florida men's soccer team beat the FIU Panthers 2-1 in their home opener in the recently renovated USF Soccer Stadium.
“It was nice to play at home, the facility looks great,” said USF head coach, George Kiefer. “I think our guys came very focused. As far as the game, hitting the post as many times as we did, I felt like we could have put the game away sooner. We keep them around and keep them in it. Once we play cleaner, thats a game we take care of a little quicker.”
In goal for the Bulls was sophomore, Jeff Attinella who had six saves on the evening. This was the first start of the season for Attinella and third for his career.
“It was big for me to come out here in a home game and get the start,” said Attinella, “I am excited that we got the victory, but we are still focused on one game at a time.”
“Jeff has been working hard and I was happy to give him an opportunity,” said Kiefer. “He did some good things this game and he has some things to work on.”
The Bulls victory gave them two on the year, with senior Jordan Seabrook and junior Andre Mittoo each put it by FIU goalie, Jesse Fullerton.
In the 23rd minute, Attinella leaped to make the save from FIU's William Thompson. The Bulls responded as Seabrook hit his second goal of the season. Sophomore Fernando Gonzalez and senior Jason Devenish dished the ball between the defenders to Seabrook to allow the Bulls to go up by one heading into the half. USF fired off five shots in the first half.
In the second half, the crossbar was unkind to the Bulls after Francisco Aristeguieta and Bernardo Anor each hit it to keep USF being up by three. In the 80th minute, FIU put a ball in the back corner to even up the game. In the 83rd minute, the Bulls countered to put the game away for the win. After a foul by FIU, a penalty kick allowed Anor to cross a ball to the middle of the penalty box and Mittoo headed in a shot past the diving Fullerton to secure the victory.
The Bulls will head north to begin BIG EAST play at Georgetown on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m and at Seton Hall on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.
