Knudsen’s 89th-Minute Goal Gives Gamecocks 1-0 Win at Old Dominion

Game #1

Oct. 29, 2014

NORFOLK, Va. – South Carolina (8-8, 3-4 Conference USA) used a 89th-minute goal from redshirt freshman Mikkel Knudsen to grab its third road win in C-USA action in 2014, downing Old Dominion (7-6-1, 2-3-1 C-USA) 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Knudsen set up from 30 yards away on a free kick after Old Dominion got called for a foul, one of 11 in the match. The Dane drilled the shot through the right side of the Monarchs’ wall and in for the only goal of the contest.

South Carolina fired eight of its 10 shots in the second half, with freshman defender Clay Rittershaus posting three overall in the match to lead the Gamecocks.

Old Dominion had 18 shots in the match, six of those stopped by Gamecock sophomore Marco Velez in 72 minutes. Senior Robert Beebe played the final 18, making one save to pick up the win.

Ryan Condotta made four shot attempts in the match, with one coming on goal for Old Dominion.

Game Changer:
Knudsen’s blast from 30 yards broke the ice and gave the Gamecocks a much-needed three points in Conference USA play.

Key Stat:
Velez’s six saves in 72 minutes before leaving kept South Carolina in position to take the match.

Notables:

South Carolina’s win gives head coach Mark Berson 470 in his collegiate career.
Old Dominion gained advantages in shots (18-10), shots on goal (7-4) and corner kicks (3-1).
The Monarchs were whistled for four offsides compared to South Carolina’s three.
After the match, ODU’s Nate Foglesong was shown red, the fourth booking of the night, three going against ODU.
The Gamecocks are a perfect 3-0 on the road in Conference USA play with one match remaining (at New Mexico, 11/7).

Quotable:
South Carolina Head Coach Mark Berson
I was really proud of our guys. It was a gutsy performance. To come up here and win on the road and to get a shutout is a great accomplishment. I’m really proud of their effort. It was a great result.

Tweet of the Match:

GOAL #USC (89′): Mikkel Knudsen drills it through the right side of the @ODUMensSoccer wall, sliding it inside the right post from 30′.

— Doug Ripley (@DougRipleyODU) October 30, 2014