Sept. 1, 2005

Robert Smith scored early in the first half and Rob Valentino early in the second as the 15th ranked USF men's soccer team opened its season by defeating Dominican University 2-0 at Negoesco Stadium.

Smith opened the scoring when he blasted a cross from Jordan Keyes past Dominican 'keeper Jegg Leles at the 2:38 lead to give the Dons a 1-0 lead. It was the first career goal for the junior from Sacramento.

Despite outshooting the Penguins (0-2-1) 8-1 in the first half, USF led just 1-0 at intermission.

It didn't take long in the second half for USF to score an insurance goal. Rob Valentino worked a beautiful give and go with newcomer Ben Dessard that sent him in alone on Dominican's Todd Seech for the easy breakaway score at 48:56.

The game was a coaching matchup of two former USF players who each played on a NCAA title team, Dominican's John Brooks and USF's Erik Visser.

"I am very pleased because the team did what I asked them to do tonight," siad Visser, NSCAA regional and WCC coach of the year last season. "I wanted them to play organized and not give up any scoring chances."

The Dons allowed just three shots, while taking 16 of their own.

USF will play next weekend Vermont Classic before returning to Negoesco Stadium to host California on September 16th in teh first game of the WCC/Pac-10 Challenge.