Sept. 24, 2004
WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – – The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team earned a tough road win by toppling 13th-ranked Wake Forest, 1-0, Friday night at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem. Freshman J.D. Moon scored his first collegiate goal for USC in the 73rd minute of play to lift the Gamecocks to their second victory over a top-25 opponent this season. South Carolina is now 5-1-1 on the season, while Wake Forest fell to 3-3-1.
“This is a big win on the road against one of the top teams in the South Region,” USC coach Mark Berson said. “It was a total team effort. Wake Forest played very well and had us working hard from the opening to the closing whistle. Effort was the key tonight. Our team gave great effort for all 90 minutes.”
The two teams played more than 70 minutes of scoreless soccer before South Carolina broke the tie. In the 73rd minute, South Carolina gained possession of the ball from Wake Forest at midfield. The Gamecocks’ counter attack resulted in freshman Sebastian Lindholm feeding a perfect cross pass to his fellow rookie. Moon struck the ball in stride and knocked it past Wake Forest goalkeeper Brian Edwards and into the lower corner of the goal at the 72:29 mark.
“It was a fine attacking play down the left side,” Berson said of the Gamecocks’ goal. “J.D. struck the ball perfectly. The goalkeeper gave a good effort, but it was a great shot.”
Just more than six minutes later, the Gamecocks were dealt a blow. Sophomore defender Makan Hislop received his second yellow card, which resulted in a red card and a subsequent ejection from the match. The Gamecocks had to finish the match with just 10 men on the field, but were able to stave of the Demon Deacons and secure the win.
Carolina sophomore goalkeeper Brad Guzan earned six saves in the match and recorded his third shutout of the season. For Wake, Edwards notched three saves.
Wake Forest out-shot South Carolina, 17-7, overall, but just 6-4 on goal. Scott Sealy led the Deacons with four shots, while Mike Sambursky took two to pace the Gamecocks.
With the victory, Carolina took the lead in the all-time series, 11-10-5. The Gamecocks also racked up another win over a top-25 opponent after beating then No. 16 Portland, 3-2, on Sept. 10 in Columbia.
The Gamecocks will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 29, when they travel to Davidson College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
