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Top scorer from Botswana visiting USF soccer
It's rare we get to delve into soccer recruiting, but as USF men's soccer looks for scoring punch to help offset the early departure of Dom Dwyer to the MLS ranks, coach George Kiefer will play host to another top junior college scorer this weekend.
The Bulls get an official campus visit from Edwin Moalosi, a player originally from Botswana in southern Africa who scored 21 goals this season for Lincoln College. Moalosi had three games in which he scored four goals, and there's a solid connection to the Bulls through Stiven Salinas, who played with him at Lincoln in 2010 and signed with USF last year, getting two assists in his first season.
Moalosi said Thursday that he's likely to choose between North Carolina, Cal-Poly and USF -- the Bulls have his first visit, and if things go well, he might not take any others.
"I like the team, the way they play. They play good soccer and are a very good team," Moalosi said. "If it feels good there, maybe after I visit USF, I will make a decision." ... Read more
Dwyer first of 3 Bulls picked in MLS SuperDraft
USF junior forward Dom Dwyer, who led the Big East with 16 goals and helped the Bulls to the NCAA Elite Eight, was picked in the first round of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft, going with the 16th pick to Sporting Kansas City.
The Bulls put three players into the draft, with defender Aubrey Perry going to the Columbus Crew in the second round (26th overall) and goalkeeper Chris Blais going to the San Jose Earthquakes (33rd overall).
Dwyer, much like a Jets draft pick in the NFL, had the honor of getting picked in his hometown, as he was on hand in Kansas City for Thursday's draft. Here's an interview on the MLS official site: "It's great. I really didn't expect it. I'm real excited to get started."
USF hoping for big presence in MLS SuperDraft
Though he hates to see star junior Dom Dwyer leaving USF early to enter today's MLS SuperDraft, Bulls coach George Kiefer is excited to see three players in contention for today's draft.
Dwyer, goalkeeper Chris Blais and defender Aubrey Perry all participated in the MLS combine workouts this week and could hear their name called today during the MLS selection, which started at noon.
"With all three guys, they're all team guys. They all focused on winning for South Florida, all did good in the classroom. I'm very happy for all three of them," Kiefer said. "To have Dom have good enough exposure, that was great for him. It makes it easy when you go after the next forward, knowing that South Florida can be a platform to help you to become a pro."
Kiefer said he was especially pleased with how seriously Dwyer took his classwork in his short time at USF, taking 12 credit-hours last summer and 15 in the fall, putting him close to graduation. As part of MLS' "Generation Adidas" program, Dwyer will have his remaining college tuition covered as part of his pro contract. ... Read more
USF soccer loses junior Dwyer to MLS
USF junior Dom Dwyer, who lead the Big East with 16 goals and helped the Bulls to the NCAA's Elite Eight, is leaving school after one season to play in Major League Soccer.
The England-born Dwyer has signed with MLS' "Generation Adidas" program, as Bulls defender Anthony Wallace did in 2007. Dwyer announced his decision on Twitter.com on Wednesday night: "I want to thank everyone at @USFMSoccer and the @USFGoalmouths for all their support over the season at USF I will never forget my time here," he wrote. ... Read more
USF to host FHSAA soccer finals in February
Still in its first year, USF's Corbett Soccer Stadium will host the state high school championships in boys and girls soccer in February, the Florida High School Athletic Association announced Monday. Here's the full story from the Times' Ed Encina.
Snow-maha: USF soccer match bumped to Sunday
USF men's soccer's NCAA Elite Eight match at Creighton scheduled for Saturday afternoon was postponed to Sunday after heavy snow in Omaha.
The Bulls -- seeded seventh in the NCAA field -- were minutes away from playing second-seeded Creighton when the decision was made to play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The winner of that match will play in the NCAA College Cup in Alabama.
No holding Kiefer back in USF's NCAA soccer run
TAMPA -- Growing up on Long Island, even at age 4, George Kiefer so loved the game of soccer that his mother had to literally tie him to a chair to keep him off the field as he watched his older brother's games.
"I would just want to run on the field," USF's men's soccer coach of 10 years said Monday as his team prepares for an NCAA tournament Elite Eight match Saturday at No. 2-seeded Creighton. "He was much bigger and older, but I just had to get out there. It's always been soccer."
Aside from perhaps his restraint on the sidelines, little has changed in Kiefer, who has the Bulls making their fifth straight NCAA appearance, solidifying their status as the most successful team on campus. Players will tell you they get their toughness from their coach, who will tell you he got his from a humble, hardscrabble upbringing in the white-collar Long Island hamlet of Bay Shore. ... Read more
Video: Blais, Kiefer talk after USF soccer win
Here's video from after USF men's soccer's huge shootout victory against New Mexico to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight. First, here's senior goalkeeper Chris Blais, talking about his two saves in his first shootout since he was in high school. ... Read more
Blais of glory: Bulls beat Lobos, reach Elite Eight
TAMPA -- In front of a record crowd of 3,592 fans, USF senior goalkeeper Chris Blais blocked New Mexico's seventh penalty kick, giving the Bulls a 6-5 victory in shootout to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in four seasons.
USF (13-3-4) handed the Lobos (18-0-4) their only setback of the season -- officially a tie in the scorebook -- after a scoreless regulation and two overtimes. The seventh-seeded Bulls will play at second-seeded Creighton on Saturday afternoon for a spot in the NCAA College Cup Final Four.
USF and New Mexico both hit their first two penalty kicks, with Lucas Baldin and Trey Perry converting for the Bulls. Dom Dwyer, the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year, saw his shot blocked by New Mexico's Victor Rodriguez, but Blais returned the favor, blocking New Mexico's Blake Smith on the next shot. ... Read more
USF, New Mexico headed to penalty kicks in NCAAs
USF and New Mexico played to a scoreless tie through 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtimes, so the Bulls and Lobos will decide their match with five penalty kicks each. Winner plays Saturday at Creighton in the NCAA Elite Eight ...
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