By Ky-Shon Hepburn
GoUSFBulls.com

TAMPA- The Bulls scored two key goals in the second half to improve to 4-1 on Saturday night.

Senior Sebastian Thuriere scored in the 55th minute to put the No. 2 USF men’s soccer team up 2-1 in the USF Tournament at Corbett Soccer Stadium.  Leston Paul and Ricardo Webb both picked up an assist on the game-winning goal.

“I was really pleased with the second half and how they responded,” said head coach George Kiefer.  “I think they figured out a way to win the game.”

Iona jumped out to an early 1-0 lead five minutes into the game on a free kick by Ansger Otto delivered by Franklin Castellanos.

USF (4-1) outshot Iona 4-2 in the opening half, but the Bulls have been scoreless in the first half all season.

The Bulls were able to tie things up at 1 on a shot by Leston from Wesley Charpie in the 49th minute.  Paul nabbed his first goal of the season.

“I thought we fought hard. We had to dig deep, help each other, fight and get a win,” said Paul.  “I knew coming in that I have a team that would fight it out and make sure we got a win.”

USF outshot Iona 8-4 to finish the night and starting goalkeeper Eric Osswald recorded one save.

“There’s a lot to learn here and a lot we can make better by just doing the same things,” said Kiefer.

The Bulls will head to Akron, Ohio to face Butler on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the University of Akron Tournament.