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Oct. 16, 2005

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team suffered its first Conference USA loss and saw its seven-match unbeaten streak come to an end with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Marshall on Sunday afternoon at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium in Columbia.

“We gave up an early goal, and even though we had a number of a really good chances in the game, we weren’t able to capitalize. That was the difference on the day,” USC head coach Mark Berson said. “We certainly have our work cut out for us now. All four teams that we play for the remainder of the conference schedule were in the NCAA Tournament last year. We have a tough road to journey. We need to get ready to go next weekend.”

South Carolina fell to 6-6-1 on the season and 3-1-1 in Conference USA play, while Marshall picked up its third straight win and improved to 5-7-1 overall and 3-2-1 in league games.

Except for giving up a goal in the first of the match, the Gamecocks were dominant. USC out-shot Marshall, 23-9, including eight shots on goal.

Marshall opened the scoring just 53 seconds into the match. Karim Boukhemis picked up the ball in the midfield and drove it up field. Boukhemis broke down the Gamecock defense before passing the ball off to a waiting Oscric Flores in the middle of the field, eight yards from the goal. Flores knocked the ball past South Carolina goalkeeper Mike Gustavson to put the Thundering Herd on top, 1-0.

The Gamecocks immediately kicked it up a notch and continued to apply pressure for the rest of the half. USC peppered Marshall’s goal with 15 shots and forced goalkeeper Greg Terhune to make six saves before intermission.

Carolina had a number of dangerous chances to tie the match, but the Gamecocks either missed or Terhune came up with the save.

South Carolina had six corner kicks while allowing Marshall none. Terhune finished with eight saves. Gustavson did not have to make a save on the day.

In every match the Gamecocks have lost this season, they have failed to score. Today’s match marked the first ever between USC and Marshall.

Though they have played on less game, Carolina is tied for second in the Conference USA standings with Marshall.

Carolina hits the road next weekend for a pair of Conference USA contests. The Gamecocks play at Florida International on Friday, Oct. 19, before traveling to Orlando, Fla., for a match with UCF on Sunday, Oct. 21.