USF Men's Soccer Hits the Pitch for the First Day of Training
TAMPA (Aug. 15, 2020) – The USF men's soccer team advanced to its 21
st NCAA Tournament in 2019, and returns a solid core for 2020, in addition to an impressive freshmen class, but fourth-year Bulls head coach
Bob Butehorn is quick to point out that last season is in the rear-view mirror.
All roads leading back to the postseason started on Saturday during the first official day of training camp.
USF took to its practice pitch on Saturday morning for the first of two sessions and had a spirited, high-energy 100-minute workout that showed the Bulls are in impressive form. Still, the consensus is that there is always room for improvement and a lot of work must be done before their season starts in September.
Butehorn, along with senior forward,
Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany) and senior defender
Avionne Flanagan (Baltimore, Md.) spoke about the first day of training and some of the team's goals among other topics.
Click here to see highlights from Saturday's training session and interviews with Butehorn, Billhardt and Flanagan.
USF returns two of its top three scorers from 2019 in Billhardt and Flanagan. Billhardt, who in July
was named one of the top midfielders in America by TopDrawerSoccer.com, started in 16 of 18 matches, leading the Bulls with six goals, 13 points, 37 shots, and 18 shots on goal. For his efforts in 2019, he was tabbed an American Athletic All-Conference Second Team selection, while also being named to the United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-East Region Third Team.
Flanagan was third on the team in scoring in 2019 with nine points on one goal and seven assists in 18 matches played (16 starts), and was named first team all-conference.
First team All-AAC selection
Javain Brown (Kingston, Jamaica) headlines a stingy defensive corps that will be a force in 2020. Brown, who was also named to the USC All-East Region Second Team, helped to guide the 2019 back line that allowed only 1.26 goals per game on the year, which was tied for third best in The American, and five clean sheets. Brown also aided the offense with seven points on three goals and an assist.
During the 2019 campaign, USF posted an 11-7-1 record that included a win over No. 5 Louisville en route to the NCAA Tournament.
About USF Men's Soccer
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USF Men's Soccer competed in the school's first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 27 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 19 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
USF Soccer concluded the 2019 season with an 11-7-1 overall record, earning an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Four players earned AAC honors, highlighted by first team selections Avionne Flanagan and Javain Brown. Adrian Billhardt was tabbed a second team selection. In addition, Brown and Salvatore Mazzaferro were named to The AAC All-Rookie Team. Head coach Bob Butehorn returns to lead USF in his fourth season on the sidelines.
– #GoBulls –
