TAMPA - Everybody knows that when conference play begins - especially in a soccer conference like the BIG EAST - that you had better come to play every night. That wasn't a problem with the University of South Florida men's soccer team tonight. The only problem was, is that Marquette subscribes to that same theory.
Both teams came out tonight, in the conference opener for both schools, and battled to a 1-1 double overtime tie in front of a lively 1,452 fans at the USF Soccer Stadium.
The tie drops the Bulls to 4-0-1 (0-0-1 BIG EAST) while the Golden Eagles are now 1-3-1 (0-0-1 BIG EAST).
Marquette came out of the gate quickly getting two quality chances in the first three minutes, both coming from Anthony Colaizzi. USF goalkeeper Jeff Attinella posted the first two of his nine saves on the night off a Colaizzi free kick from the far right wing and the second off a header from the top of the box.
From that point on, however, the Bulls would seem to take control for the remainder of the first 45 minutes and have several big chances to get on the board.
After a Marquette foul, Bernardo Anor would attempt a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box that was right on goal, however Golden Eagles' goalkeeper Matt Pzdrowski would get to the ball just in time to make the save four minutes in.
Then just over a minute later, USF's Javed Mohammed would attempt the team's only corner kick of the first half and put the ball right in the box for Fernando Gonzalez only to have his shot blocked from three yards out.
Anor would finally connect off a pass from Jorge Mora 28 minutes into the game on a shot from the close left wing - with practically no angle - giving the Bulls a 1-0 lead. The goal would be Anor's second of the season.
USF would not let up there as it threatened on three more chances in the final 12 minutes of the half, two by Zak Boggs and one by Ogi Perucica.
The Bulls came out in the second half looking to put Marquette away immediately.
Sebastian Thuriere had his first good look of the game blocked just two minutes into the second half and then Boggs and Francisco Aristeguieta had back-to-back opportunities just 15 seconds apart in the 52nd minute.
Marquette, however, would get on the board and tie the game when Adam Lysak took a rebound from a shot by Amiclar Herrera that would go off the post, and put the ball into the back of the net nine minutes into the second half for the final score of the game in the 56th minute.
Both teams would move the ball up the field and get key chances to score, however, it was USF's Hasani Sinclair would make Pzdrowski come out of the net and make a highlight reel diving save to rob the freshman of his first career goal in the 76th minute from the close right wing.
After a foul in the box and two yellow cards on Marquette, Javed Mohammed would get the chance for his second game winner of the season when he was awarded a penalty kick with just 39 seconds left in regulation. Mohammed, however, would put the ball wide to the right and time would expire forcing the extra sessions.
After the Bulls outshot the Golden Eagles 25-16 in regulation both teams could only manage two shots in each 10 minute overtime period.
The Golden Eagles' Scott Miller would give his team the best chance as he put a Calum Mallace corner kick off the post in the 96th minute.
USF would get one last chance when Marquette's Billy Von Rueden would get his second yellow card of then game - resulting in a red card - and having to play a man down for the final five minutes of the contest. The Bulls, however could not take advantage of the opportunity.
On the night, USF would outshoot the Golden Eagles 27-18, with 10 shots apiece coming on goal.
The Bulls also held the advantage in corner kicks in the game, 7-3, including 6-2 in the final 65 minutes of the game.
The Bulls will close out its first BIG EAST Conference weekend of the season on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. when Notre Dame rolls into the USF Soccer Stadium. In addition to the game being broadcast on WMNF 88.5 FM HD 2 and WXBL 1620 AM the contest will also be televised live in the Tampa Bay area on Bright House Sports Network (cable channel 47).
Season tickets for USF men's soccer games are $40 for adults and $20 for youths and senior citizens. Adult individual match tickets are $6, while youth and senior citizen admission is $3. All groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $2.50 per ticket. All USF students will be admitted at no cost when they display their student ID.
