One hundred and 10 minutes was not enough to decide an outcome as the University of South Florida men's soccer team extended their seven match unbeaten streak with a 1-1 draw against Cincinnati Wednesday night at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Wasting little time, the Bulls jumped out to an early lead with a goal in the ninth minute.
Freshman Leston Paul notched his first mark of the season off a precise cross from the left side off the foot of Bernardo Anor. Paul was able to corral the feed and bury it into the far left corner to give the Bulls the early advantage.
For Anor, the assist was his third of the season, tying him for the team lead with Hasani Sinclair.
With a 1-0 lead in hand, USF would preserve the lead into the half despite playing from the 24th minute on down a man after Paul was ejected following a red card.
After the intermission, if playing a man down wasn't enough, the Bulls would suffer another tough break as the Bearcats were awarded a phantom penalty kick following a foul call in the 18-yard box in the 48th minute.
Cincinnati would tally the equalizer on the ensuing penalty kick from UC's Nick Weightman.
But from there on the Bulls became the aggressor.
For the remainder of regulation, the Bulls would seize control of the match as the USF offensive attack peppered Bearcat keeper Matt Williams with five shots on goal in the half but to no avail.
With less than four minutes remaining in the match, Andre Mitto's shot nearly found the back of the net but did not due to a thanks to a UC clearance.
The two teams remained tied after 90 minutes of play and headed to overtime.
In the first overtime, neither team was able to launch a shot.
In the second extra period each team took three shots including a shot from Ben Sweat that nearly ended the match in the 108th minute if not for an impressive save by the UC keeper.
The match was a phyisical one with 42 fouls being called, 27 on the Bearcats to the Bulls' 15.
On the night, the Bulls held an advantage with nine shots on goal to the Bearcat's five. USF held a 6-3 advanatge in corner kicks.
Senior keeper Jeff Antinella made five saves on the match pushing his season total to 50. Antinella has not given up a goal in the stream of play in his last seven matches.
With the tie, USF moves to 8-2-4 on the season and 3-1-2 in BIG EAST play good for 11 points.
Following tonight's match, the Bulls will return home for the first of two consecutive home matches against Louisville on Oct. 23 (7:30 p.m.) and Rutgers on Oct. 27 (7:30 p.m.) for what will be the final regular season home match of the year. The Bulls will close out the regular season on Oct. 30 at St. John's (7:30 p.m.).