Gamecocks Earn Draw on Opening Night
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team opened its season on the road Thursday night (Aug. 24), earning a 1-1 draw at Campbell.
Ethan Dekel Daks and Kasper Lehm led South Carolina with two shots on the night. For the game, Campbell out-shot the Gamecocks 10-8, but Carolina held a 6-to-3 advantage in corner kicks. Goalkeeper Ben Alexander finished with a game-high five saves.
The Gamecock offense came out on the attack quickly, eventually putting the first shot on goal of the match in the 8th minute. Carolina struck first, as Adam Luckhurst scored in the 26th minute. After a pass into the box bounced off the Campbell goalkeeper, Martin Yahia gave a touch pass to Luckhurst, who had an open look at the net, and buried it home.
26′ | The first goal of the season comes from the veteran @adam_luckhurst! Give the assist to Martin Yahia!
🐔 1 | 0 🐪#WEareCarolina pic.twitter.com/lCLuiaocNC— Gamecock Men’s Soccer (@GamecockMSoccer) August 24, 2023
Alexander made a pair of diving saves later in the half, including one with under three minutes to play to keep the Gamecocks with a 1-0 lead at the half.
South Carolina was unable to keep the lead, as the Camels tied it with a goal two minutes into the second half.
From there, the defenses on both sides stepped up. The lone Campbell shot on goal came in the 50th minute. Carolina’s lone shot on goal came in the final seconds as Jack Burgess looked to put a bouncing ball home, but the Camel goalie was able to make the save.
It was the third opening-night draw for Carolina in program history (2022 and 1982).
The Gamecocks return to the Palmetto State to host its home opener August 27 against Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m.
For the latest on men’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockMSoccer, Facebook /GamecockMSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockMSoccer.
