No. 16 USF Hosts American

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

No. 16 USF Hosts American

TAMPA, Fla. – The 16th ranked University of South Florida men’s soccer team will host its second match of the season when it welcomes American University to the USF Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The Bulls (4-0-0) look to capture their fifth win to equal the best start the team has enjoyed under the regime of head coach George Kiefer. The squad won five games en route to a 7-0-2 record to open the 2004 season. 

USF also looks to push its home-unbeaten streak to seven, dating back to Oct. 4, 2006.  The team has gone 5-0-1 on its home field during the current stretch.

Following such an impressive start to the season, the Bulls have picked up national rankings in all four major polls.  The team is 16th in this week’s College Soccer News poll, 18th in the Soccer Times publication, 22nd according to Soccer America and tied for 24th in the NSCAA/adidas poll.

College Soccer News also named USF its “National Team of the Week” for the week ending Sept. 9.  The accolade comes following the Bulls’ 2-0-0 showing at the UConn/adidas Classic over FIU and No. 15 South Carolina, in which it blanked both opponents.

Juniors Kevon Neaves and Jordan Seabrook continue to lead the Bulls offensively.  Neaves owns the team lead in goals (3) and has already surpassed his previous season-high in points (eight in 2006), with nine thus far on the year.

Seabrook’s 11 shots are a team-high, as the speedster from Indianapolis, Ind., is second in points on the squad with six, and is tied with freshman Tony Taylor in goals, behind Neaves, with two.

The Bulls’ defense has been stingy, allowing only two goals through four games.  Keeper Diego Restrepo has enjoyed three consecutive shutouts in his first season starting in front of the net.  The Cali, Columbia, native recorded a career-high seven saves against South Carolina, bringing his total to 18 on the year.  His .900 save percentage is currently tied for 21st in the country. 

American University (3-1-0), located in Washington D.C., is led by junior defender Tremaine Chinapoo and freshman midfielder Mike Worden in points, with three each.  Five different individuals have scored one goal for the Eagles so far on the year.  AU fell to George Washington 2-0 in its season-opener, and then railed off three consecutive victories over George Mason (2-1), Princeton (2-0) and Bowling Green (2-1). 

Saturday’s match will be the final tune-up before the Bulls open BIG EAST play on Fri., Sept. 21.  It will also feature two pre-match exhibition games between USF Alumni and Tampa Bay Rowdies Alumni, beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Tickets are available for the entire day’s affairs at $5 for adults, $3 for youth 16-and-under and $2 for groups of ten or more.  Season tickets are also available.  Visit GoUSFBulls.com or call 1-800-GoBulls for more information.