TAMPA- It was slated to start at 7:30 p.m., but several weather delays pushed the Bulls match against South Carolina back to a 10:55 p.m. start, a match USF would eventually drop 1-0.

The Bulls entered as the No. 2 team in the country as voted by the NSCAA, the program's highest ever ranking, but a single goal in the first half from the Gamecocks was enough to hand the Bulls their first loss of the season.

“I think the guys handled the delay very well, and I think the first half was some of the best soccer we have played all year,” head coach George Kiefer said.

The Bulls controlled possession for a majority of the opening half, and it looked like they would improve to 4-0-0 on the season.

“The movement was good. The ball possession was good,” Kiefer said.

South Carolina got a free kick well outside the box from Niklas Kivinen which slipped through Eric Osswalds hands and found the net to give the Gamecocks the 1-0, which they would take into the half.

“We gave up an unfortunate goal, but I felt like in the second half, we could have learned from that.”

South Carolina held their ground in the second half, despite several chances from USF, to hand the Bulls their first loss of the season 1-0.

USF will be right back in action as they conclude the USF Tournament at Corbett Stadium Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Iona.

“Iona is a very dangerous and explosive team,” Kiefer said.  “We are looking forward to getting back out here. After you lose, you don't want to sit around for a week, so I wish we could play tomorrow.”