Bulls Set for First Test Against No. 9/7 Michigan State
USF Bulls (0-0-0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (0-0-0)
Friday Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
DeMartin Stadium, East Lansing, Mich.
Live Stats
EAST LANSING, Mich., August 24, 2018–USF men's soccer will travel to East Lansing, Mich., to take on No. 9/7 Michigan State on Friday night at DeMartin Stadium at 7 p.m. ET.
USF returns 16 players to the roster, 14 of which saw starts in 2017, and welcome nine true freshmen to Tampa. The Bulls finished 6-6-4 in 2017, and finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference. Picked to finish fourth again, the Bulls have a packed 2018 schedule including seven opponents in the top 25 or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Bulls welcome a freshmen class loaded with talent, and a tight-knit group of sophomores from
Bob Butehorn's first season at the helm that make up the bulk of the young squad. Just three seniors lead the way for the Bulls,
Tomasz Skublak (Ontario, Canada),
Christian Knight (Odessa, Fla.) and
Raul Guinea (San Salvador, El Salvador).
The Opponent
Michigan State is bolstered by 10 seniors, including goalkeeper James Hague who was voted to the MAC Hermann Preseason Watch List. The Spartans are ranked in the top 10 both in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and the Top Drawer Soccer rankings. MSU played three games in the preseason, defeating Spring Arbor 2-0, before tying No. 14 Western Michigan and Xavier.
Notable
- The Bulls went 2-0 in the preseason, defeating Eastern Florida State College 4-1 and the University of Tampa 3-1.
- USF returns 16 players, 14 of which saw starts in 2017.
- USF is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll.
- Bulls Adrian Billhardt and Christian Knight were voted to the American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference team. Knight was selected as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Up Next
The Bulls will continue their two-game road swing to open the 2018 season in the Wolverine State when they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on No. 21 Michigan on Monday night.
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.
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