By KY-SHON HEPBURN

Special to GoUSFBulls.com

TAMPA – The Bulls were able to showcase their offseason growth during their first exhibition game against Jacksonville on Tuesday night.

“I was pleased with the performance, but I feel like we have a lot of work to do,” said head coach George Kiefer.

USF scored two goals to defeat Jacksonville, 2-1, in its first test of the season at Corbett Soccer Stadium.

“I think we scored two very good goals,” said Kiefer. “We earned them.”

USF took an early 1-0 advantage on a header by senior Sebastien Thuriere after a double-assist by Ben Sweat and Stiven Salinas.  Senior Brenton Griffiths followed with a header of his own to extend the Bulls lead to 2-0.  Lucas Baldin and Samuel Hosseini were both credited with an assist on the goal.

“It came straight to me and I just concentrated and put it on target,” said Thuriere.

USF controlled the ball on both ends for majority of the game holding Jacksonville to only one goal.

“It's good to see the product of our training and come out here and get a win,” said Thuriere.

Freshman Gavin Craig scored the lone goal for Jacksonville with 12 minutes left to cut the Bulls lead in half 2-1.  Ivo Lima and Nathan Dalton picked up an assist on the goal for the Dolphins.

The Bulls will face the University of Tampa for the annual Rowdies' Cup in their final preseason home game Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

“Tampa is a very good team and I know it will be a good test for us,” said Kiefer. “I look forward to the game.”

The Bulls will get their season underway in a nationally televised game against Michigan on Fox Soccer Channel on Friday, Aug. 24 at Corbett Soccer Stadium.