University of South Florida
Buffalo
USF Dismantles Undefeated Buffalo
September 18, 2016 | Men's Soccer
TAMPA, SEPT. 18, 2016 – The University of South Florida men's soccer team has hit its stride, and its timing couldn't be better. In their last nonconference match-up before American Athletic Conference action begins, the Bulls downed previously undefeated and No. 26 Buffalo 3-0 Saturday. Lightning was detected in the area, and the match was called in the 81st minute, giving the Bulls their third straight victory.
USF (3-3-2) made quick work of Buffalo (7-1-0), creating more offensive opportunities than it has all season. As a team, the Bulls took 10 shots, four on goal, and three different players scored. Senior Marcus Epps (Jackson, Miss.) opened up the scoring in the 44th minute, weaving through three defenders and placing his first goal of the year off a pass from Melvin Becket (Melbourne, Australia).
USF outshot the Bulls of Buffalo 6-3 in the first 45 minutes of action, and its six attempts are the most first half attempts this season. Lindo Mfeka (Durban, South Africa) gave USF a 2-0 advantage early in the second period, scoring his first goal of the year in the 49th minute. The Bulls offense executed side-to-side action and Ricardo Gomez (Gainesville, Ga.) created space for Epps, who found Mfeka on the right side.
In the 64th minute, newcomer Gabriel Menescal (Coconut Creek, Fla.) sealed the Bulls' first 3-0 win when he and Nazeem Bartman (Cape Town, South Africa) teamed up for a give and go and Menescal flipped it over the goal keeper's head.
Spasoje Stefanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) collected his third straight-shut out in 81 minutes between the pipes. The senior made three saves, but the strong defensive play of Graham Smith (New Hope, Pa.) and Prosper Figbe (Ilorin, Nigeria) limited Buffalo to just six shots. Both made crucial blocks early in the first and second periods.
Quotables:
Head coach George Kiefer on the team's turnaround:
“From day one, I thought this would be a very strong team. Today, we started to see the guys click as more guys are getting healthy, and more guys coming off the bench. There's still a few more guys that I think will have an impact and start to know their names as they come back as well.”
Head coach George Kiefer on the team's defensive effort:
“Another clean sheet. The back four are locked in. They are communicating and helping each other, but for me, our defense is always better when we're good on the ball. You look at how good we were on the ball today, stringing together 20-plus passes. We were able to get in on the right side, the left side, serve some cross shots and stepping up, pressing. It's both, but clearly the shutouts come from an organized team.”
Junior Gabriel Menescal (#24) on first goal at USF and team's offensive performance:
“It feels really good to come back after not playing for a long time, and even better to be wearing green and gold. We've been working hard as a team structurally, and it's good to see it pay off like it did today.”
Senior Nazeem Bartman (#9) on USF's focus:
“Our guys were focused. Our attitude, our mentality, everything was great today. Even before the game in the locker room, then coming out today, and seeing our team play like we did, taking advantage and scoring on chances, I couldn't ask for more from our guys.”
Key Stat:
USF outshot Buffalo 11-6 and held Buffalo scoreless for the first time this season. Buffalo leads the nation in total goals (21), total points (63) and shutouts (6).
Notables:
The Bulls are 2-0-2 against undefeated teams at Corbett this season.
MAC Herman trophy candidate Bartman scored points in his third consecutive game, notching his first assist of the season. Bartman has two goals and an assist on the year.
Epps' goal was the first of the season and the sixth of his career. Epps has dished out at least one assist in each of the past two games, and is halfway to his career season high four assists.
Stefanovic posted his 17th career solo shutout, the third of the 2016 season.
Up Next:
USF travels up I-4 for its first conference game of the year. The Bulls will face UCF Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. The Bulls finished the 2015 campaign 5-1-2 in league action and made its third straight American Athletic Conference semifinal appearance.
The Bulls ended the 2015 campaign in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and an 11-6-3 overall record (5-1-2 The American). Head coach George Kiefer was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) East Region Coach of the Year. Kiefer led USF to its eighth NCAA tournament appearance in the past nine years and earned the No. 2 ranking in the NSCAA East Region. The Bulls posted double-digit wins for the ninth time under Kiefer in 14 seasons and went undefeated at home during the regular season.
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– #GoBulls –
