Oct. 28, 2006
In its regular season finale, the No. 12 South Carolina men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 Conference USA road match to the University of Tulsa Saturday night at the Tulsa Soccer and Track Complex. South Carolina (11-4-1, 4-3-1 C-USA) experienced travel difficulties on its way to Tulsa and did not arrive until today.
Eric DeFreitas’ second-half goal turned out to be the difference in the game. DeFreitas broke up the scoreless tie in the 61st minute with his second goal of the season. After a pass from Jose Prada, DeFreitas rifled a 30-yard strike into the back of the net. Tulsa (8-9-0, 5-3-0) would make the goal stand up.
TU narrowly out-shot the Gamecocks, 18-16, and attempted seven corner kicks to Carolina’s three. Mike Sambursky led South Carolina with five shots.
Gamecock sophomore goalkeeper Mike Gustavson made six saves and Tyrel Lacey finished with three stops for the Golden Hurricane.
Travel difficulties disrupted the Gamecocks’ schedule. South Carolina departed Columbia on Friday but only made it as far as Atlanta. The Gamecocks were unable to leave Atlanta last night, forcing them to take three separate flights with early morning departures. The entire team eventually arrived in Tulsa by early Saturday afternoon.
The Gamecocks will be back in Tulsa for the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 1. By virtue of its victory tonight, Tulsa secured the No. 3 seed in next week’s conference tournament. Carolina will be the fourth seed.
Semifinal action is on Friday, Nov. 3 and the Championship match is slated for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, Nov. 5. All matches will be played at the Tulsa Soccer and Track Complex.
