Aug. 23, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Behind a two-goal performance from sophomore Sam Arthur, the South Carolina men’s soccer team defeated NC State, 3-0, in its final exhibition contest of the 2008 season. Senior midfielder David Smith also contributed a goal for Carolina. The victory marked the second consecutive shutout for the Gamecocks, as goalkeepers Jimmy Maurer and Sean Nguyen have not allowed a goal throughout the exhibition season.
“I thought that the key tonight was that defensively we were very solid,” South Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “It all begins in the back and I think that we were able to put some pretty good passes into the attack tonight. There were a number of very good combinations involving the backs, midfielders and forwards and players making runs. We did some good things and also some things that we can build on.”
Both the Gamecocks and Wolfpack registered seven shots in the contest, as Arthur led the Gamecocks with two shots on net. Carolina senior Spencer Lewis and freshman midfielder David MacVane each registered one assist in the contest, while senior forward Kevan Hawkins collected two helpers on the night. Redshirt freshman Ryan Kropp and junior Schuyler Reardon also contributed one shot for Carolina, while midfielder Alan Sanchez led NC State with four shots in the loss.
Defensively, Maurer and Nguyen collected one save each, while Wolfpack counterparts Christopher Widman and Will Mackvick combined for two saves in net.
Carolina marked the scoreboard just over five minutes into the first half, capitalizing on its first free kick opportunity of the match. Lewis passed the ball to Smith who sent a rocket into the back of the net from just outside the 18-yard box for an early 1-0 Carolina upperhand.
Arthur’s first tally wasn’t far behind. Hawkins and MacVane played the ball through the midfield to Arthur, who was able to strike the ball past Widman in net for the Wolfpack to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Gamecocks dominated the remainder of the half, not allowing NC State to pose much of an offensive threat. Following the halftime intermission, Carolina was quick to score, as Hawkins connected with Arthur again to push the USC lead to 3-0. South Carolina played solid defense the final half of the match to secure its second-consecutive shutout victory.
South Carolina kicks off its 2008 regular season on Aug 29, hosting archrival Clemson at Stone Stadium. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
