Owls Ambush USF, Earn First AAC Win

Friday, October 11

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

3-4-3, 1-2-1

USF

4-3-4, 2-2-0

South Fla.

Fla. Atlantic

10/11/2024 10:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic men's soccer (3-4-3, 1-2-1 AAC) scored in the first minute and didn't look back in a 3-1 victory over USF (4-3-4, 2-2 AAC) on Friday night. The win was the Owls' first over USF since the year 2000.

Mamadou Diarra took just 49 seconds to put the Owls in front. Aboubacar Traore delivered a cross into the six-yard box and Diarra redirected it into the top corner for his fifth goal of the season. Traore was involved again in the 20th minute. This time, he played in Noah Kvifte behind the Bulls' backline and Kvifte picked out the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.

After setting up the first two goals, it was finally Traore's turn to get in on the goalscoring himself. In the 25th minute, the Ivory Coast native curled a long-range effort into the top corner for his third goal of the campaign.

Hey #SCTop10 and @American_Conf top plays... us again. Got another submission for ya... 👀 pic.twitter.com/sRkcpgHmAi
— Florida Atlantic Men's Soccer (@FAUMSoccer) October 12, 2024

USF got on the board at the buzzer in the first half. Nacho Alfaro came out to the top of the box to challenge a cross but collided with a Bulls' player. USF's Mathis Haugen put a shot toward the open goal, and it crossed the line with a second left.

The Owls defense dug in in the second half. A complete team effort included sophomore goalkeeper Francisco Ranieri who entered for his first collegiate action after Alfaro went down with an injury in the 56th minute.

Rainieri made three saves in the final half-hour to split the goalkeeper win. The Owls outshot USF 18-12 with 11 on target compared to six for the visiting Bulls.

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