TAMPA, AUG. 28, 2017 – The University of South Florida embraced the new era of men's soccer Monday night. Bradley Farias led a balanced attack with the go-ahead goal and the Bulls routed Lipscomb, 3-0, at Corbett Stadium.
 
It was a night firsts for the Bulls (1-0). The first win under head coach Bob Butehorn. The first shutout of the season and career for freshman goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia).
 
Farias (Indiantown, Fla.) netted the first goal of the 2017 season in the 28^th minute, which also marked his first career goal at USF. Newcomers Alex Zis (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) and Trey Jackson (Ocala, Fla.) each collected their first goals at USF, while Stephen Rudderham (Tampa, Fla.) and Adrian Billhardt (Berlin, Germany) each tallied their first career assists.
 
Devenish-Meares made three saves in his first career start for the Bulls, including a huge stop on a free kick with three seconds remaining in the match to preserve the clean sheet.
 
After outscoring opponents, 12-2, in the preseason, the Bulls jumped ahead, 1-0, in the 28^th minute by Farias. Billhardt found Farias on a run up the right side and the senior forward knocked it into the bottom left corner of the net. In the second period, Zis scored in the 51^st minute. The sophomore wove around a Bison defender for an unassisted goal. Jackson sealed the win in the 85^th minute, just five minutes after entering the match.
 
QUOTABLES:
Head coach Bob Butehorn on opening the season with a win:
"It's a good first win. That's the exciting part of this. The players did a good job getting a win for USF and getting this thing started. We know the road ahead, but it was really good. They performed as I expected, with a lot of heart."
 
Senior defender Gabriel Menescal (#5) on the team's defensive effort:
"Lipscomb was a good opponent. It's good to see what's paying off in practice. We're working a lot on defensive shape, holding guys and shifting as well, so it's really good to see our hard work pay off."
 
Senior defender Gabriel Menescal (#5) on the team's chemistry:
"I've never seen a group of guys come together like this new freshman class. It's a lot of new people but we've been connecting quick off the bat, so that chemistry really helps."
 
KEY STATS:
20 – USF took 20 shots in the match, outshooting Lipscomb, 20-11, in 90 minutes. In the first period, the Bulls held a 12-3 shot advantage.  
 
NOTABLES: 

• USF improved to 9-1-2 in season openers in the last 12 seasons. The Bulls have not lost a home opener since 2005 and boast a 6-0-2 record when starting the season at home.  
• The Bulls scored three goals for the first time since Sept. 18, 2016. USF only scored three or more goals three times in the past two seasons.
• Head coach Bob Butehorn earned his first victory at USF. 

UP NEXT:
The Bulls travel to Bloomington, Ill., for two top-25 showdowns at the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. USF will open the tournament against No. 25 Butler on Friday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. before taking on No. 7 Indiana on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.
 
On Dec. 18 Bob Butehorn was appointed the head coach the USF men's soccer program. A member of the University of Tampa's 1981 national championship team and a three-time conference coach of the year, Butehorn previously led Florida Gulf Coast University's men's soccer program to six conference regular season championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and Top 25 rankings in five seasons since 2010.
 
The Bulls concluded the season as The American regular season champions and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulls finished the season with a 10-6-4 overall record and a 6-1-0 mark in the American Athletic Conference.
 
Follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
 
– #GoBulls –