USF Soccer Preview from Collegesoccernews

[Rizman]

South Florida - Big East

The Bulls were a difficult team to get a handle on last year.  They were talented and often gave their opponents all they could handle but they were missing that certain something that elevates a squad to the next level.  After going 9-2-0 in their inaugural season in the Big East in 2005 and earning an NCAA Tourney berth, the Bulls entered the 2006 season with ten returning starters and high expectations for making a mark on the national scene.  Those expectations proved to be too lofty as the Bulls were 9-6-4 overall in 2006, did not go dancing, and were 4-3-4 in Big East play. 

George Kiefer will enter his sixth season at the helm of the South Florida program with an overall record of 50-32-11 facing the challenge of replacing highly touted midfielder Rodrigo Hidalgo (6g, 2a) who was a three year starter and highly regarded defender Anthony Wallace.  Both elected to leave early to enter the professional ranks.  Kiefer also losses a lot of experience due to graduation.  Departed players include forward Hunter West (4g, 0a) who was a four year starter, midfielder Sammy Castellanos (1g, 5a), defender Kareem Smith who was a four year starter, defender Blake Sharpe, and goalkeeper Dane Brenner who was a four year starter. 

Seven players with starting experience return, supplemented by a six member recruiting class that has a lot of highly competitive playing experience under their belts.  The Bulls will again be a very competitive side and likely will be hungry for an NCAA Tourney berth after staying home last year but the outlook for significant improvement in terms of wins and losses is not promising. 

The return of junior forward Jordan Seabrook (6g, 3a), who led South Florida in scoring last year, is a big positive.  Senior Simon Schoendorf (2g, 1a) will also add to the attack either up-top or in the midfield.  Sophomore Ogi Perucica should also be in the mix up-top.  The midfield looks deep with the return of senior Kris Raad (1g, 6a), juniors Kevon Neaves (2g, 4a) and Jason Devenish (1g, 2a), and sophomores Marc Doherty and Franci Aristeguieta among others.  Juniors Yohance Marshall, Joris Claessens, and Joey Brown return in the back.  Redshirt freshman Diego Restrepo is a talented and battle tested netminder who looks to be ready to move into the starting goalkeeper position.

South Florida’s September schedule is competitive but conducive to a good start which should give the Bulls a chance to gel as a team.  An unexpected and previously somewhat rare home opening loss to Fordham last year seemed to take some of the wind out of South Florida’s sails.  Key September matches in 2007 include a September 9 contest with non-conference foe South Carolina in the UConn Classic and Big East foes Connecticut on September 21 and Providence on September 23 in Tampa. 

There are a lot of unanswered questions facing South Florida going into the 2007 season.  Talent or heart or a combination of both may have derailed them in 2006.  Whether the Bulls are good enough to compete on a consistent basis with the competition in the Big East still remains to be seen. 

 

South Florida has announced the addition of a six member recruiting class.  Kiefer stated, “We have a great class coming in this year.  We really focused on bringing in players that were talented academically and athletically, but also outstanding character.  This class really fits the bill for us.â€Â

Forward Bernardo Anor is from Caracas, Venezuela were he has gained valuable competitive experience as a member of the Venezuela U-20 National Team.  Goalkeeper Jeffrey Attinella is from Clearwater, Florida out of Countryside High School where he was an All-State, All-County, and All-Conference selection.  He tallied 20 shutouts his junior year and 19 his senior season.  He plays club for the Clearwater Chargers.  Defender Jermaine Hardy is from Portland, Jamaica and is a junior college transfer from Jefferson College which captured the NJCAA National Title.  He has been a member of the U-20 Jamaican National Team.  Hardy should contribute immediately.  Defender Andre Mitto is from Plantation, Florida out of American Heritage High School where he was a four-time All-State selection.  He is a member of the U-18 National Team player pool and a member of the Region III ODP team.  Mitto plays club for West Pines United.  Midfielder Javed Mohammed is from LaRomain, Trinidad out of Naparima College where he was a three-time Sportsman of the Year selection.  He has been a member of the Trinidad and Tabago U-17 and U-20 National Teams.  Forward Alejandro Taylor is from Jacksonville, Florida out of Bishop Kenny High School where he was an All-District selection and team captain.  He is a 2006 ESP participant and member of the Region III ODP team.

[crambone]

We'll pwn again this year, fa sho

[Held_AccountaBull]

We'll pwn again this year, fa sho

huh?