By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA – The Bulls got a little taste of adversity in a loss Friday night and head coach George Kiefer was eager to see how his young group would respond.

Kiefer was sporting a big smile Sunday after the USF men's soccer team handed No. 10 UC Irvine its first loss of the season by a 2-0 score at the Bulls' new soccer stadium. It marked USF's second victory over a Top 15 team this year.

“I was really pleased because we're learning so much throughout the year,” said Kiefer, whose Bulls improved to 4-2-1 this season.

UC Irvine took a 7-0 record into the game, but the No. 12 Bulls were the aggressor from the start and took a lead almost 13 minutes in. Freshman Wesley Charpie got a pass from Kevin Olali at the top right corner of the box and ripped it into the net for his first goal of the season.

The score went unchanged for nearly 69 minutes until the Bulls struck again. Ben Sweat got a free kick and Dom Dwyer headed it home for his sixth goal of the season.

That was more than enough support for keeper Chris Blais, who made six saves in his third shutout of the season.

Charpie said the team's ability to bring intensity was a major contributing factor in USF's third win in four games at home.

“We're getting live for the game and really come out and did work,” he said.

The win serves as a big building block for a USF team that begins conference play next Sunday at West Virginia.

“Now it's remember what you did well and keep growing in those areas,” Kiefer said. “We get to start Big East play in a week, so it's great.”