FGCU M. Soc vs USF Recap

Despite former FGCU head coach Bob Butehorn's return to the FGCU Soccer Complex, the FGCU men's soccer team (3-2) pulled away with a 5-3 victory over USF (2-5). With the win, the Eagles are now 4-4-4 against the Bulls.

"Great mentality from the get-go, I thought the attack was dynamic, dangerous and we got a lot done what we wanted to do," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We gave up some opportunities but overall happy with the attitude and energy we gave tonight. I was a little disappointed that we conceded at the end, that was a sloppy defensive play and we got a lot to work on for sure. We're happy, we beat a very good team and to score five at home always makes for an exciting night."

"Give the credit to FGCU, they played with a lot of emotion and passion and there was a great crowd here," Butehorn said. "We put ourselves in a hole, made some mistakes and it was tough to dig ourselves out. It was unfortunate that we did not have a chance to equalize. Overall it was not our best effort but we will pick ourselves up and prepare for our next match."

Cormier sent redshirt sophomore Gustavo Vasconcelos as starting goalkeeper while Butehorn sent junior Harrison Devenish-Meares to counter.

The goal frenzy started in the 16th minute off a cross from sophomore Kareem Riley. Off to the right side, he sailed a pass into the box finding junior Shak Adams for the header, beating the USF keeper who was off his line.

One minute later, Riley was once again in the mix as he fired a sliding shot into the five-yard box which was deflected off the keeper's hands as senior Dennis Zapata was there for the tap in for his first goal of the year.

At the 30 minute mark, Adams pushed the Eagle's margin to 3-0 after a through ball pass from redshirt senior Jordan Lue beyond midfield, who found Adams' timing his run behind the Bull's backline and would finish with two touches, collecting his second goal of the night.

USF converted one minute before the half off the foot of sophomore Kori Cupid as FGCU headed into the intermission up 3-1. At the break, the Eagles edged the Bulls 10-8 in shots while both squads each had two corners.

Before the second half, Butehorn would make a change and send freshman Kazuna Takase to replace Devenish-Meares as goalkeeper.

The Bulls made it a one-goal game in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on a penalty kick from junior Alex Zis, but the Eagles quickly responded three minutes later.

Sophomore Titouan Le Menec maneuvered around a defender inside the five-yard box, as he dished it to Adams for the near post finish, giving the junior the hat trick. This was the Eagle's first hat trick since Albert Ruiz's performance against Rutgers in 2016 and the program's fifth overall.

From there, junior Ivan Rosales put the finishing touches on FGCU's five-goal performance in the 75th minute. With a set up by freshman O'Vonte Mullings, Rosales settled the pass and fired a blistering shot into the upper 90.

USF would score their third goal from junior Stephen Rudderham seconds before the half as the Eagles claim the 5-3 win in front of nearly 1,400 fans.

Vasconcelos (3-1) played all 90 minutes in net finishing with four saves in his second consecutive start for his third win of the season.

Devenish-Meares (2-5) would earn the loss after giving up three of the Eagles' five goals and finished with three saves.

Takase gave up the final two goals and had one save.

At the end of the night, FGCU led 17-16 in shots (nine on goal) and 5-2 in corners.

Up next, FGCU remains at home and welcome Cal St. Fullerton to The Nest on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.  The Titans are currently 2-1-3 and rank 49th in the RPI.