South Carolina Blanks No. 18 Furman, 3-0
Sept. 20, 2016
GREENVILLE, S.C. – South Carolina (4-3-0) knocked off No. 18 Furman (4-2-1) 3-0 on the road Tuesday evening. The Gamecocks were led by goals from three seniors: Kurtis Turner, Danny Deakin and Kevin Walker. It was the team’s second consecutive shutout.
In a back-and-forth first half, Carolina was able to strike first when Turner found the back of the net from 20-yards out on the feed from freshman Luca Mayr. It was Turner’s first goal of the season and Mayr’s first assist of his Gamecock career.
The Gamecock defense was locked in for the second straight game led by goalkeeper William Pyle, who recorded three saves on the night and his fourth win of the season. Senior Ive Burnett, senior Matt McManis and junior Christoffer Wallander Ianev all had stellar evenings as well on the Gamecock backline, blocking shots and slowing the Paladin offensive attack.
Senior midfielder Danny Deakin put South Carolina ahead comfortably 2-0 in the 82nd minute when he rocketed a penalty kick into the back of the net past Furman’s Jonathan Smith. The free kick came by way of a handball from Furman inside the box. The goal was Deakin’s third of the season and 14th of his career.
Kevin Walker got in on the scoring in the 90th minute when he booted a shot home from 15-yards out. He now leads the team in goals (4) and is tied for the team lead in points with Deakin (8).
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mark Berson on team’s solid play from start to finish: “At this point in the season, our team is ahead of what we were last year at the end of the season. Tonight I think was our most complete performance from start to finish as far as playing well and then also getting the result. Furman has got a really good team and I’m sure they’ll be right there in the thick of things when it comes to the NCAA tournament.”
GAMECHANGER
A late handball by Furman inside the box led to a PK by Deakin, who was able to score the goal and ultimately put the game out of reach with about nine minutes left.
KEY STAT
The Gamecocks outshot the Paladins tonight 16-11, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.
NOTABLE
- Senior strikers Danny Deakin (3G, 2A) and Kevin Walker (4G) are tied for the team lead in points with 8. Walker’s four goals lead the team. He ranks second in shots on goal with 10.
- Luca Mayr recorded his first career assist in the match.
- Junior goalkeeper William Pyle is now 4-1 in the net on the season. He has collected 18 saves in the last five contests
- Deakin and freshman Luca Mayr are tied for the team lead in shots with 23.
- Mayr leads the team in shots on goal with 13.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks are back at Stone Stadium as they take on Georgia State on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
