TAMPA, Fla. (Friday, August 20) ? The University of South Florida men's soccer team defeated the Tampa Spartans, 2-0, on Saturday, Aug. 12 at the USF Soccer Stadium. Goals by junior Kris Raad and freshman Ogi Perucica led the Bulls to the exhibition victory, claiming the second annual Rowdies' Cup (a yearly battle between the two teams).
Raad, who led all Bulls with six shots on the night, got USF on the board in the 39th minute. Pressuring the Spartan defense, Raad caused a misplay by goalkeeper Kevin St. John, who was trying to collect a header from one of his defenders. Raad intercepted the errant pass and lifted a shot from the right side of the area. The shot drifted into the far side on the net to give USF a 1-0 lead. Perucica gave the Bulls a two-goal cushion with a score in the 59th minute. The Wharton High School product buried a shot into the back of the net from three yards out. Set up by sophomore Jordan Seabrook, Perucica received a pass from the Preseason All-BIG EAST selection to register the Bulls second score of the night. Seabrook used his speed to get by the UT defense, streaking down the right-side of the field and along the end line towards the net. As two defenders closed in on Seabrook, the Indianapolis, Ind., native found Perucica at the edge of the six-yard box. Seabrook was credited with his first assist of the preseason on the score.
On the night, USF out-shot UT 15-3, holding the Spartans without a shot on goal during the entire match.
Despite not facing one shot, newcomer Diego Restrepo was credited with the victory. Senior Dane Brenner got the start in net, playing the first 35 minutes before Restrepo replaced the High Point, N.C., native to start the second half.
The exhibition lasted just 70 minutes as the teams played two 35-minute halves.
With the 2-0 win the Bulls were awarded the Rowdies' Cup (the actual 1975 NASL Championship Trophy won by the Rowdies over the Portland Timers) for the second-straight year.
The battle between cross-town rivals USF and UT, was introduced in 1972. During a span of 16-straight seasons (1977-1992), the two teams played annually. In those 16 years, the Bulls edged the Spartans with an 8-6-2 head-to-head record. The teams played once more in 1997, a 4-1 win for Tampa. USF holds an all-time 10-7-2 series lead in regular-season contests, dating back to 1972.
Since renewing the rivalry, USF now holds a 2-0-0 edge versus the Spartans. A pair of hat tricks by Hunter West and Jordan Seabrook guided the Bulls to their first win over UT since 1989 en route to claiming the inaugural Rowdies' Cup as USF defeated Tampa, 7-0 on Aug. 20, 2005.
The Bulls' 2006 season will begin on Aug. 25 when they face in-state rival FIU in Miami at 8 p.m.
USF Bulls vs. Tampa Spartans
August 12, 2005 ? USF Soccer Stadium
1 2 F
Tampa 0 0 0
USF 0 2 2
Scoring Summary: USF ? Raad 1 (unassisted), 39'; USF ? Perucica 1 (Seabrook, 1), 59'.
USF Bulls ? GK Dane Brenner, D Yohance Marshall, D Blake Sharpe, D Anthony Wallace, D Kareem Smith, MF Jason Devenish, MF Kris Raad, MF Kevon Neaves, F Jordan Seabrook, F Ogi Perucica.
Substitutes: Tom Markey, Diego Restrepo.
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Raad 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Perucica 3); FOULS: 8; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVE: None.
Tampa Spartans ? GK Kevin St. John, D Daniel Bergstrand, D Hank Malouf, D Gregg Emmerman, D Justin Versaggi, MF Kevin Sierra, MF Ryan Maxwell, MF Chad Burt, MF Devin Shaw, F Ryan Vetzel, F Carlos Mora.
Substitutes: Kwame Mathias, Zach Fraser, Sergio Loaiza, Dan Balzan, Jack Luker, Devon Edwards, Jordan Myers.
TOTAL SHOTS: 3 (three players with 1); SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4 (St. John 3).
Cautions and Ejections: USF ? Doherty (caution), 25'; UT ? Emmerman (caution), 59'.
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: -Steve Olson, Bob Berry
4th Official: Goree Fleck
Weather: Clear, warm, 89 degrees.
