Nov. 8, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – A late first half goal by Corey Ashe was enough to lift North Carolina to a 1-0 victory over the South Carolina men’s soccer team on Saturday evening at Stone Stadium in front of 606 fans. The win improves North Carolina to 12-3-3 while the loss drops South Carolina to 8-7-2 on the year. South Carolina concludes its regular season schedule on Saturday, November 15 at Florida International.
“I thought we really started well in the first half, had a number of good chances but we weren’t able to capitalize,” said USC head coach Mark Berson. “Tonight that was the difference of the game. I thought we limited their opportunities in the first half but we went down a goal there late. The quality of our chances were very good but we just couldn’t stick them in.
Ayo Akinsete had four shots to lead South Carolina with Lawson Vaughn adding three and Anthony Stovall and Jack Cummings finishing with two apiece. Makan Hislop also finished with a shot on a set piece that was negated by a save from North Carolina goalkeeper Justin Hughes. South Carolina goalkeeper Brad Guzan finished with five saves on the night with Hughes coming away with four saves in goal for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina’s goal came at 42:59 in the first half of play. On the counter attack, midfielder Wes Shull played a through ball to Ashe, who was able to knock an eight-yard shot to the left corner giving the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead.
Before Saturday night’s game, the Gamecocks honored senior Jack Cummings for “Senior Day. A senior midfielder from Cincinnati, Ohio., Jack Cummings has been a strong presence since he arrived in the fall of 2000. A steady contributor on the offensive and defensive side Cummings has started and played in 72 matches for the Garnet & Black. Throughout the 2000 season, as a freshman Jack was one of only five Gamecocks to start all 19 matches and was fourth on the team in scoring notching his first collegiate goal against Charlotte. Composed and effective in his role as a midfielder, Cummings earned all-tournament team honors at the 2002 Duke/adidas Classic and this year’s 2003 South Carolina Gamecock Classic. This season Cummings has two game-winning goals for the Gamecocks in wins over Appalachian State and Charlotte. In his four-year span, Cummings has scored nine goals, garnered seven assists for 25 points and as a member of the South Carolina men’s soccer progam has been through 43 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
