Sept. 16, 2007
| COLUMBIA, S.C. – Freshman forward Blake Brettschneider tallied a goal in the 25th minute and senior midfielder J.D. Moon added a Gamecock tally just two minutes later, as the Carolina men’s soccer team (4-2-0) defeated Lipscomb (1-5-0), 2-0, on Sunday in the final match of the adidas Gamecock Classic at Stone Stadium. The victory clinched the tournament title for the Gamecocks, while Lipscomb finished second at the event, followed by Presbyterian College (1-6-0) and Longwood (2-3-0). Carolina goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer earned the tournament’s defensive MVP honor, collecting three saves on the weekend. Lipscomb’s Ben Page was named the tournament offensive MVP.
Brettschneider, junior midfielder Spencer Lewis and sophomore defender Mark Wiltse also earned all-tournament accolades for the Gamecocks.
“Our team played a very solid game today, both defensively and also on the offensive end,” Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “We have a very young team and we were able to play a lot of different players today, which will help us as the season moves along.”
Brettschneider led the offensive attack, matching his season-best with six shots, including four on goal. His tally in the first half, assisted by junior midfielder David Smith, marked his second goal of the season. Freshman forward Sam Arthur earned an assist on Moon’s tally, his first of the year.
Maurer completed all 90 minutes in the net for the Gamecocks, collecting three saves in the winning effort. His counterpart in net for the Bisons, Jake Goergen, tallied nine saves in the loss.
Carolina took instant control of its offensive attack at the start of the afternoon match. USC tallied seven shots on goal against just three by Lipscomb in the opening period. Brettschneider put a well-placed ball under the diving hands of Goergen for a 1-0 Gamecock lead midway through the first half, and Moon’s cross-net tally gave Carolina the deciding 2-0 advantage in the 27th minute.
The Gamecocks out-shot the Bisons 9-5 in the closing 45 minutes of play, but neither team capitalized on numerous offensive opportunities. In all, 22 Carolina players were able to make an appearance in the contest.
Carolina continues non-conference action when it travels to Durham, N.C., this Wednesday, Sept. 19 for a 7 p.m. match with No. 5 Duke at Koskinen Stadium.
The complete all-tournament team is listed below:
South Carolina
Jimmy Maurer – Defensive MVP
Blake Brettschneider
Mark Wiltse
Spencer Lewis
Lipscomb
Ben Page – Offensive MVP
Josh Inglebright
Jake Goergen
Presbyterian College
John Odum
Brandon Tucker
Longwood
Brandt Youmans
Max Griessbach
