USF Soccer Takes on Villanova

Game Day for Dwyer and crew.

The Bulls return home as the host Villanova in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament (game is scheduled for 1PM). After winning the Red Division title outright (tied Rutgers) the Bulls will continue their push for the NCAA tournament as the Wildcats of Villanova come into town after beating Notre Dame in the first round.

Nova enters the game with a 7-8-4 record on the season (including tournament win over ND), but fell earlier in the season to USF, 2 to 1. The Bulls, ranked 5th in the country, are looking to improve on their 12-2-3 record and will need the energy of the home crowd in doing so.

Nova is led by sophomore forward Dylan Renna (6-3 185-pounds). He finished the regular season with 3 goals and 5 assists. Freshman forward Aaron Dennis (6-2 175-pounds) finished the regular season with 4 goals and 1 assist, taking 32 shots on the year. He scored the game winner against Notre Dame, so the Bulls will have to watch for him and his increased confidence.

Junior defender Kyle Soroka (6-1 160-pounds) had 4 goals during the season. Junior midfielder Emerson Lawrence (6-0 185-pounds) had 4 goals as well, giving the Wildcats a balanced scoring attack. Freshman midfielder Oscar Umar (6-0 160-pounds) had 2 goals and 4 assists and junior defender/midfielder Kyle McCarthy (6-3 160-pounds) had 1 goal and 2 assists.

Senior goalkeeper John Fogarty (6-3 173-pounds) anchors the defense. He has allowed just 19 goals all season (.99 per game) and has stopped 84 shots (.816). He is a solid keeper and could be playing in his last game as a Wildcat, so he will do anything he can to stop Dwyer and company.

This is a game USF should win. They are rolling right now, have one of the most explosive players in the country in Dwyer, and are back home at Corbett, everything favors USF in this game, but they have to be ready and fired up for the game. Nova has nothing to lose and will look for the upset, but Dwyer and company won't let that happen!