Sept. 6, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A first-half penalty kick goal lifted College of Charleston to a 1-0 win over South Carolina in men’s soccer action on Tuesday night at Stone Stadium.

USC fell to 0-2 on the season while the Cougars moved their record to 2-1-0 with the victory.

College of Charleston scored the lone goal of the match in the 36th minute. USC was called for a hand ball in the box, which set up a penalty kick, and Jeremy Gold knocked the PK into the lower right corner.

“Sometimes it’s called and sometimes it’s not,” head coach Mark Berson said. “That happens and you have to deal with it. I thought the guys dug in and showed courage. They didn’t give up. Defensively, I feel like we’ve been pretty sound. We just need to create more chances (offensively) to take the pressure off of ourselves.”

The Gamecocks threatened to tie the game, particular in the last 10 minutes of the match. Ralph Pace had a shot attempt saved with 11:51 remaining, and Makan Hislop’s header off a corner kick rolled just wide with 9:23 to go. With 8:42 to play, Josh Alcala’s header on the run was saved. Eric Szeszycki’s shot sailed wide by just a foot with 3:23 left on the clock.

South Carolina did finish with the shot advantage over C of C, 15-10 overall, but Cougar goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap was forced to make just three saves.

Freshman goalkeeper Mike Gustavson picked up four saves for the Gamecocks and the USC defense made two more.

“A lot of the things we want to have happen are happening,” Berson said. “We’re playing with a lot of heart, determination and fighting power, and we’ve got team chemistry.”

The Gamecocks will try to re-group on the road this weekend as they play in the North Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. USC takes on Wake Forest on Friday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m., and will face the host Tar Heels on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 3:30 p.m.