Men’s Soccer Downs Tulsa 3-2 in Double Overtime

The USF men’s soccer team defeated Tulsa 3-2 in double overtime at Corbett Stadium on Saturday night.

Senior striker Tomasz Skublak scored two, including a thunderbolt game winner in the 103rd minute. His early goal was a header in the 62nd minute off a cross from sophomore forward Adrian Billhardt to tie the game at a goal each. Sophomore midfielder Josue Monge scored what looked to be the game winner in the 69th minute when a cross from sophomore defender Freddy Gil fell right to his feet in the middle of the box.

The game was the usual physical affair seen when these two teams meet. USF played a lot out of the back early in the game, creating a few nervy moments for themselves in the process. Tulsa also looked dangerous countering the USF attack, opening the scoring on one of these counters in the 42nd minute.

To their credit, USF came out swinging in the second half, heaping pressure on Tulsa to find the equalizer. The Bulls went the entire first half without getting a shot on goal, but managed to get 6 on target in the second half alone. USF sophomore keeper Harrison Devenish-Mears had his hands full, making 7 saves on the night on 9 shots on target.

“The first half, for some reason, we showed some real immaturity as far as tactical game plan and execution,” said coach Bob Butehorn after the game. “(Tulsa) play a very high line, and we had space to get in behind, and we just didn’t execute it well. We tried to force it and played into the way they wanted us to play. I give my guys credit, they came into the locker room, we made some adjustments, came back out, and some things changed.”

As mentioned above, the Bulls showed a remarkable difference between the first and second halves. USF was able to stave off any mounting Tulsa attacks with a fair amount of confidence until grabbing the lead. Only then did Tulsa begin to fight back, finding the equalizer in the 90th minute off a corner. However, the Bulls looked determined not to fold after giving up the late goal, and were the aggressors during the overtime periods.

“We have a tendency to do that a lot,” said Skublak when asked how the team mentally overcame giving up the late goal. “I feel like we’re growing, and we’re showing people that going down is not the right answer after a 90th minute goal.”

“They learn a lot from their lessons of winning and losing,” said Butehorn. “I think they just like winning more.”

The Bulls (4-5-1) get a week break before traveling to SMU next Saturday. USF returns home to play Temple on Friday, October 12.