Oct. 9, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team ran its unbeaten streak to six games on Sunday with a 2-1 victory at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB). The Gamecocks improved to 5-5-1 on the season and 2-0-1 in Conference USA games. Carolina is currently tied for second in the C-USA standings with Florida International. UAB fell to 6-5-1 overall and 1-1-2 in conference games.
“I’m really proud of this team for fighting and battling all weekend,” Gamecock coach Mark Berson said. “We played 110 minutes on Friday night at Memphis and we were fully extended. To come back on Sunday and beat UAB on its home field is a tremendous accomplishment. These guys have believed in themselves all season and this win is really well-deserved.”
Junior forward Mike Sambursky opened the scoring just 5:57 into the match. The Katy, Texas, native intercepted a UAB pass and put away his third goal of the season.
UAB tied the match in the 28th minute. Maurice Hughes collected the rebound off of Jason McLaughlin’s header and scored his fourth goal of the year. The match remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
South Carolina went on top for good in the 68th minute. Senior Josh Alcala’s individual effort set up the Gamecocks’ second goal. A ball off Alcala’s foot was ruled an own goal after it apparently hit off the head of UAB’s Joe Klosterman.
The Gamecocks out-shot the Blazers, 15-14, and took six corner kicks to UAB’s five. Blazer goalkeeper A.J. Robles made four saves while Gamecock freshman Mike Gustavson finished the afternoon with three stops.
USC now owns a 3-1 record all-time against UAB. The Gamecocks are unbeaten in their last six matches, including five wins and one tie. Carolina played to a 2-2 draw with 2004 Conference USA champion Memphis Friday on the road.
“We went undefeated on the road this weekend and we’re off to a good start through three games in Conference USA,” Berson said.
South Carolina returns home after a four-match road swing. The Gamecocks play host to Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. in their Conference USA home opener. On Sunday, Oct. 16, Marshall visits Columbia for a 2 p.m. contest at Stone Stadium.
