USF Athletics

Bulls to Face University of Tampa in Exhibition at the Annual Rowdies Cup

August 17, 2018

Saturday Aug. 18, 2018
USF Bulls vs. University of Tampa Spartans 
Pepin Stadium, 7 p.m. 
Live Stats

TAMPA, August 17, 2018 – USF men's soccer will travel across the Bay to play the University of Tampa in the annual Rowdies Cup on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Pepin Stadium. 
 
The match between the Tampa Bay Rivals connects two storied programs housed in Tampa, and the Rowdies Cup matchup will be highlighted by a homecoming of sorts for USF head coach Bob Butehorn, who graduated from the University of Tampa ('85) and won a national championship with the Spartans in 1981. Senior goalkeeper Christian Knight (Odessa, Fla.) also attended the University of Tampa for two years before transferring to USF to ride out his dream of becoming a Bull. 
 
Formerly known as the Mayors Cup, the annual rivalry game became the Rowdies Cup in 2005, but the two programs have gone toe-to-toe for bragging rights since 1975. The game's name was instituted in honor of the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1975 NASL Championship team, which was Tampa Bay's first professional championship team. The Bulls and Spartans will battle for the 33^rdtime in program history. 
 
In 2017, the Bulls defeated the Spartans and brought the cup home to Temple Terrace with a 3-2 victory. In the all-time series, USF boasts a 20-9-3 advantage. USF heads into the matchup after a 4-1 victory over Eastern Florida State College on Tuesday evening at USF, where senior Tomasz Skublak (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) scored two goals on two shots on the night. USF was picked to finish fourth in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. 
 
The Opponent
UT is ranked No. 23 in the Division II rankings and finished the 2017 season at No. 25 after winning the Sunshine State Conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regional. Tampa welcomes 21 newcomers and is coming off of an exhibition scoreless draw to Saint Anselm. 
 
Notables

• Head Coach Bob Butehorn played for the University of Tampa from 1981-1985 and won a national championship with the Spartans in 1981. 
• Senior goalkeeper Christian Knight played two years with the Spartans before transferring to USF in 2016. 
• The two teams will clash for the 33^rdtime in history, and USF boats a 20-9-3 record in the all-time series.  

Alumni Match vs. University of Tampa
Prior to the game, USF men's soccer alumni and University of Tampa men's soccer alumni will suit up once again for an alumni game between the two programs at 5 p.m. The alumni game serves as a great opportunity for the men's soccer alumni of the two Tampa Bay universities to sink in nostalgia and face off on the pitch once more. 
 
Attending the Match
Tickets can be purchased at the front gate at Pepin Stadium at the University of Tampa. Adult tickets cost $10.0 while kids under 17 cost $5.00. Parking is available in the West parking garage across the street from Pepin Stadium. Pepin Stadium is located at 417 North Boulevard, Tampa, Fla. 33606. Live scoring will be available at tampastats.com. 
 
Up Next 
USF men's soccer kicks off the 2018 season at Michigan State on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. The Bulls will host seven games at home this season, including a two-game weekend over Labor Day when Virginia Tech (Aug. 31) and Creighton (Sept. 3) visit Corbett Stadium. Exciting promotions will be offered for both games including food trucks, group ticket options and more. 
 
Season tickets are available for USF men's soccer for $35, or $28 for USF staff, faculty and alumni. Season ticket holders will receive a commemorative 2018 season scarf. Fans may purchase tickets by visiting USFBullsTix.com or calling 1-800-GO-BULLS. Single game tickets are also available for $5 per game. Group experiences are available by calling 1-800-GO-BULLS.  
 
About USF Men's Soccer
The Bulls concluded the 2017 regular season with a 6-6-4 overall record and finished fifth in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-2-2 mark. Head Coach Bob Butehorn leads the Bulls in his second season at the helm in 2018. 
 
Follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter| Facebook| Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
 
– #GoBulls –