American Conference

Men's Soccer

USF Outlasts UCF, Clinches Spot in American Men’s Soccer Championship Game



CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

BOX SCORE

TAMPA, FLA. –
It took 100 minutes of action to decide the winner of the second semifinal game between No. 1 USF and No. 4 UCF, and the host Bulls came out on top over their in-state rival, 2-1 (2OT), Friday evening at Corbett Stadium. USF will face second-seeded Tulsa in the championship finale on Sunday.
 
The two teams were tied 0-0 at the half and the score remained that way until Jesus Colombo’s unassisted goal gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the 70th minute.

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The Bulls evened things up 16 minutes later on a penalty kick by Nazeem Bartman in the 76th minute to tie the score at 1-1.
 
The first overtime was fairly even, as neither side could convert scoring chances. USF keeper Spasoje Stefanovic made the only save of the period in the 92nd minute and after 100 scoreless minutes, the game went to a second overtime.
 
The Bulls won the game in the 101st minute on a Marcus Epps goal.
 
USF (10-6-2) led 19-10 in shots and held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Stefanovic made two saves for USF, while Matt Rosenberg stopped six shots in the net for UCF (5-11-0).
 
Colombo, Neico Regent, Brian Jamba and Gorka Aperribay each had two shots apiece for the Knights. Bartman logged a game-high six shot attempts for the Bulls.

Sunday’s championship match will begin at Noon ET, and can been seen live on ESPN3. The match will air tape delayed on ESPNU at 4 p.m. ET.