Sept. 7, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – With a 3-1 win over Northwestern at the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Classic in Charleston, S.C., the No. 22 South Carolina men’s soccer team keeps its win streak alive. On Friday, the Gamecocks defeated the Richmond Spiders to go undefeated in the tournament. South Carolina improved to 4-0-0, while Northwestern fell to 0-2-2.
The Gamecocks scored first after Eric Szeszycki scored off a penalty kick at 36:03. South Carolina would ride the one-goal lead into the locker room.
Northwestern tied the match at 1-1 in the 50th minute with the second penalty kick of the match. Eric Brin netted the tying goal for the Wildcats.
Seven minutes later, Szeszycki passed the ball to freshman Ayo Akinsete who knocked it by Wildcat goalkeeper, Brian Heckenbach, for Akinsete’s fourth goal of the season. South Carolina regained the lead (2-1) and later added an insurance goal by Ryan Deter.
South Carolina dominated play, outshooting the Wildcats 16-8. Heckenback tallied three saves, while Gamecock goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, posted two.
“I am very pleased with our team,” commented Head Coach Mark Berson. “It was a major objective for us to come down here and do well and put us in position to win the tournament. Richmond and Northwestern are good solid teams and this is another important step forward for this team.”
The Gamecocks return home next weekend to host the Gamecock Soccer Classic on Friday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 14. South Carolina will face Jacksonville Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Alabama A&M on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
