Talking to athletic director Doug Woolard on Monday afternoon, he had one hope for USF's men's soccer team -- getting a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament, which was to be announced Monday night. The Bulls had gone into this weekend's Big East tournament hopeful of a top-16 seed -- which meant a first-round bye -- but came away with the Big East crown after wins against Notre Dame and St. John's.

Sure enough, the NCAA draw was unveiled on ESPNews on Monday night, and there was USF with the No. 8 seed, which gives them their first two NCAA Tournament games at home, where the Bulls haven't lost this season.

The Bulls, with the No. 8 seed, will play Tuesday, Nov. 25, at home against the winner of this weekend's game between Massachusetts and Harvard. Winning that second-round game could mean a third-round meeting with ninth-seeded Loyola (Md.), and the Bulls' first game on the road would be in the quarterfinals -- as far as USF has ever advanced in the NCAAs -- against No. 1 seed and defending champion Wake Forest.

It's big news for USF soccer, not only getting the first-round bye but the respect of a top-eight seed and the confidence that comes with playing the next two games at home. More to come ...