Oct. 23, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa - Fresh from an impressive victory over No. 10 Louisville, Villanova (6-7-2 overall, 3-3-2 BIG EAST) returns to its own Soccer Complex to host another nationally ranked foe, the University of South Florida, on Friday at 3:00 p.m. The Bulls (9-3-2 overall, 5-2-1 BIG EAST) enter action ranked No. 12 nationally.

The focus prior to the game will be on a class of six seniors who have made substantial contributions to the Wildcats since coming to Villanova. The class includes:

- Back Adam Brazitis (Lititz, Pa.). One of the Wildcats' most dependable defenders, he has 67 career starts to his credit along the back wall and in the defensive midfield. This season he has started all 15 games, primarily in the central defense and helps direct a unit that has surrendered 1.02 goals against per game. His goal off a set piece helped lift the Wildcats to an important BIG EAST win at Pittsburgh on Sept 21.

- Midfielder Danny DeMasters (Lititz, Pa.) has rebounded from a knee injury that sidelined him for all of 2005 and much of 2007 to become a key component in 2008, starting 14 of Villanova's 15 games and delivering a pair of assists. He led the Wildcats in scoring as a freshman in 2004 and was named a Mid-Atlantic regional All-American as well as a third team All-BIG EAST choice. In his career he has seven goals and seven assists.

- Midfielder Farris Fakhoury (Parlin, N.J.) has played regularly in all parts of field in a career that has included 51 starts, including 13 this season. He has performed effectively as a back, midfielder, and, on occasion, up front. His goal on Saturday evening helped stake the Wildcats to an early lead in their victory at Louisville.

- Back Miles Harrison (Louisville, Ky.) has been a solid back with 56 career starts to his credit, including all 15 this season. He has also contributed four assists over the course of his career, including one this year and is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

- Forward Dan McKenna has not appeared in any games this season due to injury but has made contributions to the program throughout his tenure. The native of St. James, N.Y. has appeared in 20 games with five starts to his credit. He scored two goals as a sophomore in wins over Drexel and Saint Joseph's.

- Midfielder Joe Taylor (Southampton, Pa.) scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute of his first college game against Delaware in 2005 and has been an integral part of the squad ever since. He was the Philadelphia Soccer Seven's freshman of the year that season and has 10 career goals on his worksheet, including the game-winner on a penalty kick on Saturday at Louisville. He is the 2008 team captain.

Head coach Tom Carlin values the efforts of this class.

"This group of seniors have been a vital part to the success of this program over the last four years," states Carlin. "Their leadership has helped lay down the foundation for success as we embark on a new era of Villanova University Soccer. The footprints that they have left will remain with the program forever. We wish them the best in the future and hope they can draw on the lessons they learned at Villanova as they begin to make their way in the next stage of life. "

The game itself is a pivotal Red Division contest. USF currently is in second place behind St. John's in the division with 16 points while the Wildcats are in fourth position with 11 points. Both teams are looking to secure berths in the 12-team BIG EAST Tournament which begins on Nov. 4.

Following this contest, Villanova will have two regular season contests remaining and both will be against Red Division foes also hoping to position themselves for postseason action. VU hosts Syracuse on Oct. 29 at 3:00 p.m. and travels to DePaul to wrap up the campaign on Nov. 1.

USF has claimed all three prior meetings between the schools since the Bulls joined the BIG EAST in 2005.