USF freshmen step up in 3-1 win over Stetson
Freshman Henrique Gallina scored one of USF's three goals in its win against Stetson on Tuesday night. ORACLE PHOTO/BRIAN HATTAB
The USF men's soccer team beat Stetson 3-1 on Tuesday night, despite missing three players from its normal starting lineup.
Center back Marcus Murphy, forward Adrian Billhardt and midfielder Josue Monge were out, but coach Bob Butehorn came away impressed with the team’s performance and the ability of the younger players.
“There are a lot of pieces out of the team and for those guys to still get the win and play against pretty good team,” Butehorn said. “Hopefully that pays dividends later in the season.”
Two of the three goals were scored by freshmen — Henrique Gallina and Felipe Bautista.
“I’m excited for both the freshmen,” Butehorn said. “They both scored good goals.”
The opening goal came after 10 minutes. Avionne Flanagan received a long pass from Emilio Ycaza. Flanagan glided past the Stetson defense and kicked the ball past the Stetson keeper.
“I was very excited to get the first team goal,” Flanagan said. “We knew we had to start off fast and we knew if we could get the goal we could keep it on them”.
Flanagan previously played as a defensive wingback. He has only recently transitioned to a more attacking role on the left wing.
“Earlier in my career I’ve played winger and left back,” Flanagan said. “It’s really just me expressing myself more at the winger position, I feel like I can get more at them.”
Stetson drew a foul in the 16th minute, earning a free kick outside the 18-yard box. Hatters midfielder Nathan Monsanto almost scored after a rocket free kick was dropped but quickly recovered by USF keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Stetson scored its only goal near the end of the first half. The Hatters’ Erwan Colas outdribbled the Bulls defense and fired the ball into the net.
Gallina headed home the second goal for USF (3-5-1) after Alex Zis delivered on a corner kick in the 52nd minute.
The Bulls scored their third and final goal of the match as insurance in the 81st minute when Stephen Rudderham made a quick pass outside of the box to Bautista who curled the shot around the Stetson defense and into the back of the net.
Tensions were high as the teams drew a combined 17 fouls.
USF returns to Corbett Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. against conference opponent Tulsa (3-5-1).
More Stories
Here’s how these undrafted USF football players’ careers turned out
Ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, many players wait in anticipation to hear their names called in the first round. For some, it’s an instant ticket to stardom. But being selected on the first day of the draft isn’t the only route to a successful career. Fifteen former undrafted NFL players are enshrined in the NFL […]
Column: USF men’s basketball, thanks for the fun season
This is a personal column about assistant sports editor Noah Vinsky’s first-hand experience covering men’s basketball. Sports have always run in my blood. Growing up, ESPN was nearly on a constant loop on my living room television. I came to USF knowing I wanted to be a writer. The Oracle seemed like a great place […]
USF’s Mindy McCord builds culture of “family and love” into lacrosse
At 23 years old, a career in coaching was not what Mindy McCord had envisioned. After a stint playing for one of the top field hockey teams in Australia following a successful college playing career, she returned to America. McCord was on track to earn a master’s degree in counseling at Virginia Tech while coaching […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]