Nov. 15, 2003

Miami, Fla. – A second half goal from Ryan Deter at 77:39 was all the USC men’s soccer team needed, as the Gamecocks defeated No. 10 Florida International 1-0 on Saturday evening in Miami, Fla to close out the regular season. Carolina now owns a 9-7-2 record while the loss drops Florida International to 13-4-2 on the season. Brad Guzan had four saves on the night to record the shutout victory in goal for the Gamecocks.

“Everyone tonight played very well and I am very proud of this team and the performance tonight,” said USC head coach Mark Berson. “I’m pleased for the players and coaches to produce this result against a Top 10 opponent. We had a number of great chances on the offensive end in the first half. Greg Reece had a header that their goalkeeper (Roy Rosenberg) made a fantastic save on. I was prould of how our team not letting down despite not scoring in the first half and coming out and playing a solid second half as well. Brad Guzan was outstanding in goal and made a great save on a penalty kick by them in the second half. Top to bottom this was an outstanding team effort.”

After a scoreless first half, South Carolina came away with the lone goal of the evening midway into the second period. Off a corner kick from senior midfielder Jack Cummings, Deter was able to get his head on the sailing kick in the box and past FIU goalkeeper Roy Rosenberg. The goal for Deter was his sixth on the season, the second highest total on the team with Cummings notching his first assist of the year and ninth point.

Carolina had a 10-2 edge in corner kicks on the evening despite being outshot 12-10 by Florida International. Deter had four shots and Lawson Vaughn had two to pace the Gamecocks.

South Carolina will now await the announcement for the NCAA Men’s Soccer championship field, to be unveiled on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNNEWS.