Sept. 11, 2009
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 25 University of South Carolina men’s soccer team (2-1-0) suffered a 1-0 loss to Butler (3-0-0) in its opening game of the adidas Gamecock Classic on Friday evening at Stone Stadium. The loss is South Carolina’s first of the season. George Mason defeated Presbyterian 2-0 in the opening game of the Classic.
Butler out-shot South Carolina 11-7 in the match. Junior forward Sam Arthur led the Gamecocks with three shots, while classmate Blake Brettschneider added two and sophomore midfielder Stephen Morrissey and senior forward Bryan Lowder each contributed one shot. Forward Boris Gatzky led the Bulldogs with four shots in the match, while defender Matt Hedges scored the winning goal on an assist from defender Jared Isenthal.
Gamecock netminder Jimmy Maurer collected four saves, while allowing one goal. Butler goalkeeper Fabian Knopfler earned one save in the win.
Butler committed 17 fouls against just 11 by the Gamecocks, while the Bulldogs held a 4-1 upperhand on corner kicks in the match.
Despite several chances in the opening half, neither team managed to capitalize on its offensive opportunities. Butler’s Kyle VondenBenken served in several long throw-ins inside the Gamecock six-yard box, but Maurer and the Carolina defense held the Bulldogs scoreless. South Carolina out-shot Butler 3-2 in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Both teams began the second half pressing on its respective offensive end. Butler capitalized in the 75th minute, as Hedges collected an Isenthal service and sent a shot that hit off the post and rebounded right back to his feet. He scored the game winner for the Bulldogs on the rebound for the deciding 1-0 advantage.
Day two of the adidas Gamecock Classic begins on Sunday with Presbyterian versus Butler at Noon. South Carolina will face George Mason at 2:30 p.m. at Stone Stadium.
