After a solid exhibition win earlier in the week over UT to get the Bulls ready for the season, USF headed to Winston-Salem to get the season started and came away with a 2-0 victory, getting the Bulls off to a 1-0 start for 2011.
The Bulls got the scoring started in the 22nd minute with a goal by Dom Dwyer to put the Bulls ahead early in the contest. In the 37th minute, Wake Forest scored an own goal to help put the Bulls ahead 2 to 0 and that was the last of the scoring. Wake Forest outshot USF, 20 to 14, but it wasn't enough. Chris Blais made 7 saves in his first start in the regular season and played well all night to stop the constant WF attack.
Ashani Fairclough and Dom Dwyer both got yellow cards on the night and committed 14 fouls, but it is the first game so they will get better with discipline.
Kevin Olani took 4 shots on the night, 2 on goal. Wesley Charpie also took 2 shots, one on goal.
Congrats to the men on the first win of the season. The Bulls will next take on Georgia State on Friday night at 7:30 PM, the first real game in the new home stadium for the Bulls.
I really think this team can make a deep run in the tournament this year and be one of the best in school history. They have what they lacked last season in a big time striker who can consistently score goals and the goalkeeping and defense is just as good if not better than last year. Watch out for the Bulls!
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree. Team is very balanced, defense looks sharp, Dwyer could be a very special one for USF along with Paul and others. Blais is a big time addition in the net for the Bulls, could be a big season.
ReplyDeleteMy main concern with this Bulls soccer team is the defense. As the defensive backfield goes, so does this team. And, yes, Dwyer will be special for USF. The kid is built like a British Bulldog but fleet-footed like a gazelle.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree. The defense will come along, they are still kind of raw on the backline, but will do well. Blais is a game changer in the net and will really anchor everything back there, help communicate to everyone, and make the big saves.
ReplyDeleteDwyer is a monster so far. Very fat, excellent control of the ball, and attacks, everything a goal scorer needs to be, so this is a great start for USF.