Bulls Stay Perfect at Home in Shutout Fashi

September 14, 2015

TAMPA, SEPT. 14, 2015 – USF men’s soccer continued its dominance at Corbett Stadium with a 2-0 victory over North Florida on Monday night.

Gabriel Carlsson and Marcus Epps scored their first goals of the season and keeper Spasoje Stefanovic was a force in front of the net with a career-high nine saves. USF (4-2) is 4-0 at Corbett Stadium this season and has outscored opponents, 8-1, in front of the home fans.

“When you get to the box, what you look for as a coach is how many guys are there with (the scorer),” head coach George Kiefer said. “There are three, four guys in spots in the box. It’s not just the goals, guys are getting forward.”

Carlsson provided the offense early in the Bulls’ first-ever meeting with North Florida (2-4). The freshman midfielder from Sweden got a pass from Nazeem Bartman in stride and rocketed his first-career goal into the net in the 26th minute.

North Florida headed into the game with momentum after scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of an overtime victory over UCF on Sept. 9. The Ospreys tested the USF defense with nine shots in the opening half, but Stefanovic was solid from the start with five saves.

Stefanovic, a junior from Serbia, was up to eight saves when the Bulls gave him more offensive support in the 61st minute. Eduardo Maceira perfectly placed a crossing pass in the box and Epps headed it home. The junior from Jackson, Miss., now has five career goals and four since the start of the 2014 season.

“Maceira worked hard on the wing there and played a great ball,” Epps said. “It was in the air perfect for me, so I just got it on the end of it and worked hard for the team.”

USF has scored two goals in each of its victories this season while the defense continues to produce with three shutouts, including one against then-No. 3 Georgetown on Aug. 31.

“It’s very comforting having (Stefanovic) back there,” Kiefer said. “I’m pleased with their effort and their work rate. It’s 11 guys that get the shutout.”

USF looks to add to its success at Corbett Stadium 7 p.m. Saturday against Florida Gulf Coast University. The Bulls wrap up a four-game homestand with the conference opener against UConn on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Reserve your seats for both games at USFBullsTix.com

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