Men's Soccer

Bulls' Season Ends in NCAA First Round



USF's season came to an end in the NCAA first round after a 2-2 tie with Florida Gulf Coast Thursday night at Corbett Stadium. The Eagles went a perfect 3-0 in penalty kicks to advance to Sunday's second round.
 
The Bulls finish the season with a 10-6-4 record and the programs 20th NCAA tournament appearance, the most of any USF team.
 
USF trailed 1-0 after 26 minutes, but Lindo Mfeka had the Bulls’ equalizer in the 43rd minute. Luis Garza saved the ball on the Eagles end line and popped it back to Bradley Farias. Farias gained control, flicked it back to Mfeka and the senior buried it into the back of the net from 18 yards out.
 
In the 54th minute, Marcus Epps and Farias wove through the Eagles’ defense. Epps gave USF the 2-1 edge. The senior found Farias on the run and Farias took it deep into the box before playing the ball back to Epps. He scored from 12 yards out. 
 
Just under 20 minutes later, FGCU tied the contest in the 71st minute on a defensive miscue by the Bulls. USF did not retake the lead and after 110 minutes of action, the contest was decided in penalty kicks.
 
Florida Gulf Coast converted three of four penalty kicks, while USF was held scoreless. Gonzalo Rodriguez's attempt hit the cross bar and in the Bulls’ second attempt, FGCU’s goalkeeper Jared Brown made a diving save to knock out Ricardo Gomez's shot. Nazeem Bartman's attempt went wide left and the Bulls season came to a close.