Oct. 16, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 7/8 University of South Carolina men’s soccer team could not find the back of the net for the second straight match as it fell to North Carolina, 2-0, at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill Saturday night. USC dropped to 8-3-1 on the year and the Tar Heels improved to 5-6-2.
“We fell behind in the first half, but played really well in the second half,” South Carolina coach Mark Berson said. “We created a number of very good chances, and I thought we were unlucky not to get an equalizer. This is the first of three tough road matches for us and our challenge will be to bounce back on Wednesday at College of Charleston.”
Corey Ashe opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season at the 26:05 mark. Ashe one-timed a shot into the net and Michael Harrington and Ted Odgers both earned assists on the play.
The Tar Heels added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute as Jamie Watson scored for the third time in 2004. Andre Sherard fed Watson with a lob ball and Watson knocked it past USC goalkeeper Brad Guzan for the 2-0 lead.
“North Carolina caught us on a counter attack (with their second goal) as we were pushing some people forward,” Berson said, “but that can happen when you are trying to get an equalizer.”
South Carolina edged UNC 15-14 in the shots category and had four corner kicks to just one for the Tar Heels. USC was also called offsides five times in the match. Junior Eric Szeszycki and sophomore Michael Sambursky led the Gamecocks with four shots apiece.
Guzan saved two shots in tonight’s match. UNC goalkeeper Ford Williams also collected a pair of saves and notched his second shutout of the season.
On Oct. 13, the Gamecocks were shut out for the first time in 2004 in a 1-0 loss to the Charlotte 49ers in Columbia.
The Gamecocks will look to get back on the winning track on Wednesday, Oct. 20, against College of Charleston. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
