Oct. 17, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gamecock men’s soccer team suffered a 2-0 setback to Memphis on Friday in Conference USA action at Stone Stadium. Carolina falls to 6-5-2 overall, with a 1-2-1 mark in league action. Memphis improves to 5-8-0, with a 3-2-0 conference tally in the victory. Memphis’ score just three minutes into the match by Michael Coburn on a free kick outside of the Gamecock 18-yard box proved the game winner for the Tigers.
The loss marks back-to-back 2-0 losses for the Gamecocks, while it is the first time this season South Carolina has trailed at halftime and been held scoreless in consecutive matches. The outcome also marks the first-ever Gamecock loss to Memphis in the all-time series between the two schools.
“The goal coming so early put us in a position where we had to chase the game, but I thought we rose to that challenge and created some good opportunities,” South Carolina head coach Mark Berson said. “In the end, we just didn’t create enough good scoring opportunities tonight. That is the thing we need to look at the most. Credit Memphis, they are very well organized and when they are up a goal it’s easier for them to sit in and make sure all the spaces are tight and we just couldn’t get through. That was really the story of the game. An early goal, organized team and we just weren’t able to break them down like we would’ve liked to. It’s very disappointing, but it’s something that we just have to move forward and rebound from.”
South Carolina held a 10-6 edge in shots and a 9-4 upperhand in corner kick opportunities. Defender Will Traynor led the Gamecock attack with two shots, while several Carolina attackers recorded one shot in the match, including shots on goal from Jeff Scannella, Blake Brettschneider, Danny Cates, Kevan Hawkins and Bryan Lowder.
Ryan Ruble led the Memphis attack with two shots and one assist in the contest, while Parker Duncan and Coburn each contributed one goal.
South Carolina goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer recorded three saves in net, while Tiger goalkeeper Michael Goodlett recorded five saves en route to the shutout.
Coburn capitalized on a Gamecock foul to give Memphis a quick lead in the opening minutes of the match. Stepping to a free kick just steps outside the Carolina 18-yard box, Coburn struck a ball over the wall and past the outstretched hands of Maurer into the upper left corner for the 1-0 advantage.
South Carolina pressured the Tiger defense the remainder of the half. The Gamecocks’ best chance of the set came on consecutive shots by Carolina attackers. Hawkins ripped a shot on a miscue by a Tiger defender and Lowder followed with a well-hit ball on frame, however both were collected by Goodlett to hold the Memphis lead.
Both teams had their chances early in the second half, but it was Memphis who once again marked the scoreboard in the set. Duncan’s tally on an assist from Ruble gave Memphis a 2-0 advantage with just under 14 minutes to play in the match.
South Carolina responded, drawing three consecutive corner kicks with 10 minutes remaining in the contest, but the Memphis defense answered, not allowing a Gamecock shot the remainder of the half.
South Carolina continues Conference USA action when it travels to Marshall on Oct. 25. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
