USF Opens New Stadium With Victory Over UTampa

Yes, it was just an exhibition game, but that didn't steal anything away from the excitement of seeing the first game in USF's brand new soccer stadium against the Bulls' crosstown rivals, the University of Tampa Spartans. The battle for the Rowdies Cup got delayed from its original 7:30 start due to rain, but the weather subsided shortly and the game kicked off at about 8:20. Both teams started off slowly, but USF scored a 37th minute goal by T.J. Roehn. The first half was also highlighted by a UT yellow card in the 31st minute and a USF yellow card in the 40th. After the half, South Florida scored in the 64th minute on a Dom Dwyer strike to open a 2-0 lead. UT's Domonic Cutrofello cut the lead.by scoring in the 69th minute, but that was the last we would hear from the Spartans. The game ended 2-1 and the speakers played the USF fight song, telling Bulls fans that USF sports season was finally back.

The stadium itself was outstanding. It was reminiscent of the new baseball stadium, but is built very well for soccer. The stands make any seat in the place a good one, and the sections are tiered for more comfortable seating. Tickets that are bought have actual chairs, while general admission tickets have their choice of the grass behind the goals or the silver bleachers to either side. All in all, the new soccer stadium gets an A from me.

The Men's team opens the regular season at Wake Forest on Saturday and play their first regular season home game against Georgia State on Friday. The ladies open their regular season on Friday against Indiana at 7:30 p.m.