October 4, 2001

Greenville, S.C. — Senior Joey Worthen scores No. 8 USC’s Golden Goal with two minutes remaining in the second overtime Wednesday, giving the Gamecocks a 3-2 win over No. 3 Furman and ending the Paladins’ seven-match win streak at Stone Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

USC, extending its win streak to six, improves to 7-1, while Furman dropped to 7-1.

“This is another big win in the South Region for us,” state Head Coach Mark Berson. “This is an important win for us against a nationally ranked team.”

Furman dominated in the first half, outshooting the Gamecocks 7-2. At the 13:13 mark, Furman’s Asgeir Asgeirsson found the back of the net off a line drive from 25 yards out. Asgeirsson’s goal gave the Paladins a 1-0 lead into halftime.

South Carolina, coming out strong in the second half, tied the score at 1-1 just three minutes into the second half. Sophomore Jordan Smith served the ball into the box and Ryan Daley’s header flew past Paladin goalkeeper, Scott Blount.

At 69:24, Gamecock goalkeeper Michael Bachmeyer was called for a foul in the box, giving Furman a penalty kick. Andy Chase, taking the penalty kick for the Paladins, netted the ball in the top left corner of the goal, giving Furman a 2-1 lead.

The Daley-Smith tandem struck again, tying the game at 2-2 with five minutes remaining in the match. Smith passed the ball to Daley who headed the ball to the left corner of the goal.

Worthen knocked in a pass from Daley, scoring the game-winning goal. Daley would finish the match with two goals and one assist.

Gamecock forward, Joey Worthen, who left the match in the 17 minute after suffer an injury, returned in the second half. Moffat Odour, who was yellow-carded for Worthen’s injury, was later issued a red card and ejected from the match at 53:51. The fans would eventually witness nine yellow and one red card issued during the physical match.

“I am very proud of the way we played in the second half and overtime,” commented Berson. “Our first half was sub-par but our determination helped us imrpove through the match.”

The Gamecocks head to Clemson, S.C. on Sunday, Oct. 7 to take on the No. 15 Tigers at 2:00 p.m. Sunday’s match will be broadcasted on the internet at www.uscsports.com.

Source: USCSPORTS.COM