Sept. 8, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Two late goals from South Florida was the difference in a 2-0 victory over No. 8/11 Notre Dame on Friday evening at Alumni Field. Junior forward Simon Schoendorf notched three points on the night with a goal and an assist and sophomore forward Jordan Seabrook tallied the other goal for the Bulls. The match was the BIG EAST opener for both squads. The Irish’s record now stands at 2-2-1 on the season, while South Florida improves to 3-2-0.
The Fighting Irish appeared to be in control for much of the match as they out-shot the Bulls 17-9 and held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Notre Dame had its best chance for a score in the 85th minute as three shots were fired on goal from inside the 18-yard box yet none were converted.
The first attempt was a blast from sophomore defender Jack Traynor (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell North), which was saved by South Florida goalkeeper Dane Brenner. Junior forward Joseph Lapira (Lake Charles, La./Saint Louis Catholic) had his shot blocked and then Brenner sent a Justin McGeeney (Ames, Iowa/Ames) shot out of bounds. Brenner made six saves on the night, while Notre Dame sophomore Andrew Quinn (Silver Springs, Md./DeMatha) stopped three shots.
South Florida survived the scare from the Irish and cracked the scoreboard in the 86th minute when Schoendorf sent a long-ball to Seabrook and he scored on a breakaway. The Bulls converted on another scoring opportunity in the 89th minute as Schoendorf dribbled along the left side of the box and placed a shot into the low right corner of the net.
“This was a tough loss, but we have to keep our heads up,” stated Irish head coach Bobby Clark. “The effort was there for us. I thought we played pretty well. They are a dangerous team and until you put them away there’s always a chance because they are very talented.”
Senior midfielder Nate Norman (Rochester, Mich./Rochester Adams) had some of the best looks for the Irish, including a shot off the right post with just under 20 minutes remaining in the contest. Norman and Lapira led the Irish with four shots apiece.
“I’m happy with the way we played,” said Clark. “We had a lot of positives. We just gave up the first goal and then got caught forward and they put in the second goal. We had chances but just couldn’t convert. Their goalkeeper played well.”
Notre Dame will return to the pitch on Sunday in a BIG EAST showdown with DePaul. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Alumni Field.
To stay up to date on the 2006 Notre Dame men’s soccer season, please log on to und.com or call the official Notre Dame athletics hotline at (574) 631-3000.
USF (3-2-0, 1-0-0 BE) 0 2 – 2
#8/11 Notre Dame (2-2-1, 0-1-0 BE) 0 0 – 0
USF: Jordan Seabrook (Simon Schoendorf) 85:24, USF: Simon Schoendorf (unassisted) 88:05
Shots: USF 4-5 – 9, ND 10-7 – 17
Corner Kicks: USF 1-1- 2, ND 5-5 – 10
Saves: USF 8 (Dane Brenner 6), ND 3 (Andrew Quinn 3)
Fouls: USF 12, ND 10
Offsides: USF 6, ND 1