Oct. 8, 2008
DALLAS, Texas – The South Carolina men’s soccer team drew a 1-1 tie against No. 25 SMU on the road in Conference USA play on Wednesday. Following the match, Carolina’s record stands at 6-3-2, including a 1-0-1 mark in league play, while SMU holds a 6-3-2 overall mark and a 0-2-1 C-USA record. Sophomore striker Blake Brettschneider tallied South Carolina’s lone goal of the match, while goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer collected six saves in net for the Gamecocks.
“I’m very proud of our guys tonight, they played very well against SMU,” South Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “I thought we created a number of dangerous chances in the match. We overcame the adversity of a penalty kick called against us and pressed on. It was an exceptional effort on the part of our team and a result that I think we can build on going forward.”
SMU dominated the offensive side of the pitch, holding a 21-10 shot advantage, including four during overtime, while also holding a 12-3 edge in corner kicks. Brettschneider led South Carolina with three shots, while junior midfielder Jeff Scannella contributed two. Brettschneider matched his total from last season, scoring his fourth goal of the year in the match. SMU’s Manuel Mariel tallied a game high four shots, while he scored the lone Mustang goal on a penalty kick in the second half.
Maurer allowed one goal, while collecting six saves in net for the Gamecocks. Mustang counterpart Craig Hill collected four saves, also allowing one goal.
Neither team found the back of the net through the opening 45 minutes of play. Back and forth play continued in the opening minutes of the second half before Brettschneider capitalized on a turnover in the Mustang defensive third, netting an unassisted tally in the 65th minute for the 1-0 Carolina lead.
SMU answered immediately, as Mariel scored on a penalty kick 55 seconds after South Carolina’s score to knot the match at 1-1.
The score held through the end of regulation and neither team managed to find the back of the net through 20 minutes of sudden-death overtime. SMU held a 4-0 shot advantage during overtime and threatened with two corner kick opportunities late in the match, however the Gamecock defense was able to hold the Mustangs scoreless.
South Carolina continues Conference USA play when it travels to face Kentucky on Sunday at 2 p.m.
