Sept. 29, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sophomore midfielder Jeff Scannella scored two minutes into the match and freshman goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer collected six saves in net, as the South Carolina men’s soccer team won its Conference USA opener, defeating UAB, 1-0, on Saturday night on the road in Birmingham. With the win, the Gamecocks improve their overall record to 6-3-0, including a 1-0-0 C-USA slate, while the Blazers fall to 5-4-0, with a 0-1-0 mark in league play. The victory marked USC’s fifth shutout of the season.
“I’m really pleased with the win tonight,” Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “Our guys played well from start to finish and this team is learning to compete every time we go out. UAB is an experienced team, so for us to win on the road in conference play is always a big accomplishment. We kept the ball well, passed the ball well in stretches and also played solid defense throughout the match.”
The Blazers held a 14-10 edge in shots, including a 6-3 upperhand on shots on goal in the contest. Scannella, junior midfielder Spencer Lewis and freshman forward Sam Arthur each posted two shots to pace the Carolina offense. Scannella’s goal marked his second of the season, while freshman forward Blake Brettschneider assisted on the tally for his team-leading third helper of the year.
Maurer tallied six saves for the Gamecocks, while Blazer goalkeeper Wes Johnson managed three saves, allowing one goal in the complete-game effort.
Carolina started strong, as Scannella scored on a shot just inside the UAB 18-yard box two minutes into the match for an early 1-0 USC advantage.
South Carolina continued to play solid on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field throughout the remainder of the first half and through the final 45 minutes of play. Trailing late in the second half, UAB pushed an extra attacker into its forward line, but solid Gamecock defending secured the 1-0 USC victory.
South Carolina travels to Davidson on Wednesday, Oct. 3, for a 7 p.m., non-conference match with the Wildcats at Alumni Stadium. Please visit gamecocksonline.com for complete coverage of South Carolina men’s soccer.
