Championship Central
Box Score
Final Bracket
Abe Matamoros Interview
Jake McGuire Interview
Coach McIntosh Interview
Photo Gallery
STORRS, Conn. – The American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship went to penalty kicks for the second consecutive year, and second-seeded Tulsa outlasted fourth-seeded USF 6-5 in PKs to win the conference crown.
The Bulls had a 15-12 shot advantage after 110 minutes of play, including an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. Tulsa held an 11-5 advantage in corner kicks. USF was called for 10 fouls and the Golden Hurricane was whistled for 13.
Tulsa goalkeeper Jake McGuire made eight saves, including a game-saving stop late in the second overtime. USF keeper Spasoje Stefanovic stopped six shots on target.
In penalty kicks, the teams were tied 5-5 in the shootout. USF’s Gerardo Hernandez made a big shot on the Bulls' final attempt to extend the shootout and send the game to sudden death. Tulsa’s Abe’ Matamoros converted a shot to put Tulsa up 6-5, and Eduardo Maceira went for the next shootout attempt for USF. The Bulls’ equalizing tally came up short as Maceira’s shot went wide, giving the Golden Hurricane the championship win.
USF outshot Tulsa 4-1 in the second overtime and had the best scoring chances near the end of the period. Tyler Blackwood and Marcus Epps had shot attempts for the Bulls, but McGuire made a diving save on Blackwood’s shot at the 102:88 mark. Epps’ tally was blocked five seconds later, and after a corner kick by Lucas Baldin in the 103rd minute, Epps’ second shot attempt was stopped by McGuire to keep the draw intact.
The championship game, which was carried live on ESPN3, will air tape delayed on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Tulsa won the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship and will await their seeding for the Men’s College Cup. The NCAA Championship selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. ET and will be streamed live by www.ncaa.com.
All-Tournament Team
Damian Rosales, M/F, SMU
Sergio Campbell, B, UConn
Lucas Baldin, M, USF
Nikola Paunic, B, USF
Wesley Charpie, B, USF
Spasoje Stefanovic, GK, USF
Bradley Bourgeois, B, Tulsa
Quinn Starker, B, Tulsa
Tony Rocha, M/F, Tulsa
Abe’ Matamoros, M/F, Tulsa
Jake McGuire, GK, Tulsa
Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Abe’ Matamoros, M/F, Tulsa
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Jake McGuire, GK, Tulsa