Men’s soccer

MEN’S SOCCER

No. 24 USF (9-5, 7-2 Big East) at Louisville (5-9-2, 2-5-2 Big East)

When: Tonight, 7

Where: Cardinal Park

The story: Every goal is crucial now.

There are two games left before the Big East tournament starts, and the Bulls are only one point ahead of second-place St. John’s in the Red Division.

USF will try to remain the leader of the pack with a win over the Cardinals in Louisville on Wednesday night. The first two seeds in each division get a bye in the first round of the Big East playoffs.

The Bulls are coming off a tough 3-0 loss to Rutgers University on Monday. USF was unable to pass the ball due to soggy field conditions, which shut down the team’s game plan. It was USF’s second loss of the season in Big East play.

The Cardinals are reeling from a heartbreaking loss to the Syracuse Orange, 2-1, with 11 seconds left to go in overtime. Louisville must win its last two games in order to qualify for the Big East tournament, and that includes beating the Bulls.

Coach George Kiefer knows how important this game is for both teams.

“(The Cardinals) are fighting for their lives right now,” Kiefer said. “It’s a must-win game for them.”

Louisville will be led by forward Frank Jonke, who has six goals and 17 points on the season, and midfielder David Guzman, who has recorded three goals and three assists in 2005.

The Bulls will face the Cardinals’ defense with help from forward Jordan Seabrook, who has netted nine goals and 22 points this year, and forward Rodrigo Hidalgo, who has two goals and nine assists.

Keep an eye on: Kevon Neaves. The freshman midfielder from Trinidad has one goal and three assists this season. His only goal was a big one – it tied the score against the Stetson Hatters with very little time remaining in the game. The Bulls won the match in overtime with a goal from Seabrook.

– Jeffrey Jones