TAMPA - The No. 13 ranked University of South Florida men's soccer team kicks off its 2010 regular season on Wednesday night, Sept. 1, when it welcome's in-state foe Florida Gulf Coast University to the USF Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Bulls take the field against the Eagles after logging a 2-0-1 record in its trio of exhibition games during the month of August. USF played to a 0-0 tie in its exhibition opener against Jacksonville on Aug. 18 before defeating cross town rival Tampa, 3-0, on Aug. 21.
Most recently, USF played what was one of its most anticipated matches of the season against preseason No. 1 ranked - and 2009 national runner up - Akron. The Bulls defeated the Zips in a thrilling match 2-1 in front of 2,320 fans.
Bernardo Anor figured in on three of the Bulls five goals scored during the preseason logging one assist against Tampa and both of USF's goals against Akron.
Hasani Sinclair, T.J. Roehn and Andre Mittoo all recorded goals during the preseason against Tampa.
In goal, All-America goalkeeper Jeff Attinella recorded 14 saves in the three exhibition games, including 10 against Akron.
Tonight's match is just the second meeting all-time between USF and Florida Gulf Coast with the Bulls holding a slight 1-0 series lead. The two schools met for the first time last year in Fort Myers, on Sept. 4, with USF coming out on top 1-0. Javed Mohammed scored the matches only goal in the 87th minute.
FGCU comes into Wednesday's game after turning in a 1-0-1 record in its two preseason exhibition matches. The Eagles defeated Tampa 2-0 on Aug. 25 and then played to a scoreless tie against Rollins on Aug. 28.
FGCU turned in an 8-7-1 record during the 2009 season and returns nine of 11 starters from last year's team including leading point and goal scorer Cristian Raudales. Last season Raudales tallied 13 points on five goals and three assists.
USF also comes into the match against FGCU looking to extend its 30-game home unbeaten streak - the longest in the nation - at the USF Soccer Stadium. The Bulls have not lost a match on their home turf since Sept. 20, 2008.
Following Wednesday's match against Florida Gulf Coast, the Bulls will hit the road for the first time during the 2010 season when they travel to the Midwest to face Saint Louis. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. (ET). USF will return home on Tuesday, Sept. 7 when it butts heads with Stony Brook at 7:30 p.m. at the USF Soccer Stadium.
