Aug. 29, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecock men’s soccer team opened the season with a 4-1 win over the Boston Terriers under the lights at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium in front of 1,075 fans. This marks the 23rd time in 26 years the Gamecocks have opened the season with a victory.
The Gamecocks jumped out to a 1-0 lead with 21:45 remaining in the first half. Sophomore Ben Link passed the ball to freshman Ayo Akinsete who knocked the ball past Boston goalkeeper Zach Riffett. Akinsete’s goal would give South Carolina a one-goal lead heading into halftime.
With just one minute gone in the second half, the Gamecocks added an insurance goal off a corner kick by Anthony Stovall. Greg Reece headed in the served ball by Stovall to give the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead.
In the 58th minute Ryan Deter scored his first goal of the season on an open net. Deter made a cut 18 yards out to beat the final Terrier defender and slipped the ball past Riffett, before scoring on the open goal. The Gamecocks increased their lead to 3-0.
The Terriers posted their first goal of the match in the 61st minute when freshman Anders Ostli reached the back of the net from 10 yards out.
At 70:38 the Gamecocks scored their final goal of the match when Akinsete connected with freshman Michael Sambursky. Sambursky netted the Gamecocks’ second open net goal of the match.
With less than 17 minutes remaining the Terriers replaced goalkeeper Zach Riffat with Chad Comroe. Before leaving the match, Riffat allowed four goals while posting four saves.
The Gamecocks out shot the Terriers 19-6. In his first collegiate match, freshman goalkeeper Brad Guzan allowed only goal while recording four saves.
The Gamecocks return to action Monday, Sept. 2 when they host the Stetson Hatters. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the Gamecocks-Hatters match-up, players and coaches will be available for autographs. Monday’s game is also Family Day. All kids get in free with a paying adult and the first 100 fans receive a Carolina pen.
