Sept. 5, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Head Coach Mark Berson earned his 350th career win after the 22nd-ranked South Carolina men’s soccer team defeated Richmond 3-0 tonight at the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Classic in Charleston, S.C. The Gamecocks improved to 3-0-0, while the Spiders fell to 1-2-0.
Michael Sambursky knocked in the Gamecock’s first goal off the match in the 39th minute, after finishing Ben Link’s shot that deflected off the goal post. Sambursky has connected for two goals in the Gamecocks’ first three matches. USC would carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.
South Carolina was off to the races in the second half, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. In his first match of the 2003 season, senior Jack Cummings netted the second goal of the match for South Carolina. With just three minutes off the clock, Anthony Stovall headed the assist to Cummings to give the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead.
In the 50th minute Ayo Akinsete scored his third goal of the season. From 18-yards out Akinsete blasted a shot past Richmond goalkeeper Mike Nwaneri. The Gamecocks extended their lead to 3-0.
Richmond substituted goalkeeper Charlie Bird for Mike Nwaneri at 60:51. Before leaving the match, Nwaneri allowed three goals and registered two saves.
South Carolina outshot the Spiders 15-3, while posting their second consecutive shutout.
The Gamecocks play their second match of the tournament on Sunday, Sept. 7 against Northwestern at 1:00 p.m.
