Gamecocks Take Down No. 11 UNCG on the Road

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (5-2) took down a ranked opponent Saturday night (Sept. 13) on the road, as the Gamecocks earned a 2-1 win at No. 11 UNCG (4-1-1). Two second half goals lifted the Gamecocks to their fourth consecutive win.

The win was Carolina’s first road victory against a ranked opponents since defeating then-No. 1 UCF on Nov. 5, 2023. The Gamecocks have now won four straight matches, their longest streak since winning seven from Sept. 13 – Oct. 2, 2016.

UNCG opened the match by scoring on a penalty kick in the 20th minute. South Carolina was limited to two shots in the first half compared to seven for the Spartans.

After what was originally called a hand ball inside the box in the 60th minute, the officials waved it off. The Gamecocks took that momentum and turned it into a goal scoring opportunity less than three minutes later.

In the 63rd minute, Tyler Trimnal played a long ball down the right side of the field to Ethan Ballek. He would push the tempo and with his left foot beat the goalie to the near side for his fifth goal of the season.

With under seven minutes to play, Loïc Sany Kong chose the most opportune time to tally his first goal of the season. Jonah Biggar played a ball in from midfield to Ballek making a run along the right side. Ballek made a quick one-touch pass into the 6-yard box where Kong buried the ball into a wide-open net. It was Ballek’s team-lead fourth save of the season and his third multi-point match of the season.

South Carolina goalkeeper Filip Versterre finished the night with three saves.

UNCG led the match 11-8 in shots, 4-3 in shots on goal, and 9-5 in corner kicks.

Carolina returns home to host North Florida Tuesday at 6 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.