Tampa - South Florida stunned 14th-ranked Saint Louis 2-1 with a late goal tonight in a Conference USA men's soccer match at USF Soccer Stadium. The loss snapped the Billikens' nine-match winning streak.
"South Florida played with heart and fought for 90 minutes," head coach Dan Donigan said. "This was a great game for us at this point of the season and will help us down the stretch to the postseason."
After a relatively uneventful first half that resulted in a scoreless deadlock at the break, South Florida midfielder Brandon Streicher broke the ice in the 64th minute. On a counter attack, the Bulls sent the ball to the weak side where C-USA leading scorer Hunter West slipped a shot underneath Billiken keeper Martin Hutton. SLU defender Kevin Wickart slid in to prevent the goal, but the rebound went directly to Streicher who converted from the doorstep.
"South Florida kept people back and looked to counter all night," Donigan said. "I thought we created the better opportunities, but they finished their chances."
Saint Louis leading scorer Jason Cole responded in the 72nd minute with senior midfielder Joe Hammes picking up the assist. Cole caught the Bulls' defense in a flat position with a diagonal run, took Hammes' through ball and sent a one-timer from 15 yards past USF keeper Troy Perkins.
The Bulls got the winner on another counter with the ball played wide once again. When Billiken defender Andy Pusateri went in on a tackle, the ball bounced directly to Brian Gil who bent a drive to the upper left corner for the decisive tally. Bulls midfielder Jeff Thwaites picked up an assist on the play.
"We're disappointed with the result, but not with our team," Donigan said. "That last goal was played well by our defense, but it ended up as a loose ball. That's the way it goes in soccer some times."
Saint Louis out-shot South Florida (9-3-0, 4-2-0) 11-10 and had a 7-2 edge on corner kicks. Hutton made four stops for the Bills, while USF's Perkins also made four stops.
The Billikens (9-3-1 overall, 4-2-0) complete a two-game road swing at TCU on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in Forth Worth, Texas.
SOUTH FLORIDA 2, SAINT LOUIS 1
USF 63:24 Brandon Streicher 2-yd rebound from Hunter West
SLU 71:25 Jason Cole 15 yds from Joe Hammes
USF 86:52 Brian Gil 15 yds from Jeff Thwaites
Shots: SLU - 11, USF - 10 Corners: SLU - 7, USF - 2 Saves: SLU - 4 (Hutton), USF - 4 (Perkins) Fouls: SLU - 11, USF - 21 Att: 1,400
