Soccer: Cinderella coming to town

If USF's men's soccer team can win Saturday night against upset-crazy UNC-Greensboro, they will have gone as far as any Bulls soccer team in the program's history by reaching the NCAAs' "Elite Eight." To do so, they'll have to stop UNC-G's wild ride that has seen the Spartans win as many games in the post-season (five) as they did in the regular season.

UNC-G, you see, was 5-11-2 when the Spartans started the Southern Conference tournament. Their first win came only because of an own goal on a corner kick and a game-winner from midfield. The next win came on penalty kicks, but the Spartans kept winning, getting the Southern's automatic bid to the NCAAs -- again, UNC-G was 2-5 in conference during the season, 3-0 in the tournament.

They're just the sixth team in 50 years of the NCAA soccer tournament to make the field with a losing record. They haven't just made the field -- they've knocked off Duke and ninth-seeded Loyola (Md.) -- rallying from a goal down in the final 20 minutes in Baltimore. Now they're 10-11-2, and it's worth noting that their coach, Michael Parker, who has six national championships at the Division III and Division II levels, has never had a losing record in 32 years of coaching.

USF is 10-0-1 at home this season and should have another strong crowd Saturday night, even while playing directly opposite the men's basketball team. ESPN.com's preview of the NCAA Sweet 16 seems to think the Bulls can end Cinderella's run in Tampa. Win there, and a trip to top-seeded Wake Forest would likely be next, which could put USF in the Cinderella role ...

Comments

[Terry Lucas]

That's why I mentioned it Greg... that was as unlikely a win ever. Wake is hurt, but they are leaps and bounds better than 98% of the teams left in the tourney even with their injuries. I'm still sticking with my prediction that Wake scores more than Dartmouth shots on goal.

[Greg Auman]

Terry ... Stanford beat USC last year. Just sayin' ...

[Terry Lucas]

I wouldn't hedge any bets on Dartmouth winning that game against Wake. I'd wouldn't be surprised if Wake has more goals than Dartmouth gets shots on goal. Dartmouth beating Wake would be equivalent to Stanford knocking off USC in football. Come on guys... I hate soccer and I can at least see the difference in talent.

UNC-G has a better chance of beating us than Wake losing. As long as we don't mail it in against UNC-G, we'll win. Wake though... they're a different animal this year (but hopefully we'll have some freak luck and sneak one out against them).

[Greg Auman]

Eric is right. I added a "likely" that should have been there from the start. Lots of upsets in this tournament already, but like Jim says, Wake's a tough one to bring down ...

[Jim]

Wake has beat Maryland, UCLA this year that team is going to be difficult to get past.

[Eric S]

Not so fast on facing Wake Forest on the road. Wake Forest still has to defeat Dartmouth on Sunday, while USF has to defeat UNC-G on Saturday.

Anything can happen, that is why they play the playoffs in soccer and not use some stupid BCS poll like football.

[Terry Lucas]

If we win, I would be shocked if we keep within two goals of Wake Forest on the road. Across the board they are the best team in the nation in the best soccer conference (where they only lost in the ACC tourney). A top eight finish in the nation in my opinion means Keiffer has met the expectations he laid down when taking the job here. Congrats men's soccer... one at time. Was expecting USF to be facing a decent Loyola team (I believe they only had one loss coming into the tourney). I guess we're all a little surprised, but that's why they play game.