No. 12 USF Ends No. 5 'Eaters' Run

TAMPA, Fla. --- No. 5 UC Irvine was stifled by the No. 12 South Florida Bulls, 2-0, in a matchup of Big West vs. Big East in the USF Tournament at Corbett Soccer Stadium on the campus of South Florida.

After a slow start, the Bulls (4-2-1) would take an early lead off a goal from Wesley Charpie in the 13th minute.

The 'Eaters (7-1-0) would respond with a few chances, but were turned away. The momentum shifted a few times during the half  as USF would take control around the 35th minute firing a few shots at Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev. / Sierra Vista HS) who would turn them away.

UCI would manage a few more tries, but went in down at the half, 1-0.

Both schools came out of the half with some opportunities. UCI had trouble getting anything substantial going and forced some low-percentage shots.

The best chance for the 'Eaters came in the 63rd minute as the ball floated around the box. Christian Hernandez (Palmdale / Taft College) got a shot on goal, but again USF keeper Chris Blais kept UCI scoreless.

UCI continued the attack and produced a flurry of corner kicks, but couldn't find the back of the net.

The Bulls earned a pair of yellow cards before a nice fun by Dom Dwyer in the 82nd minute put USF up 2-0 and all but sealed the 'Eaters' fate.

All in all, the two ranked schools matched up pretty evenly. UCI's advantage in shots on goal went for naught as USF keeper Chris Blais saved all six shots. Fontein finished with two saves.

The Anteaters' undefeated run halted as well as UCI goes to 7-1-0

UC Irvine plays one more game before Big West conference play begins. They return home to host UNLV at Anteater Stadium, Fri. Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.

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