Sept. 19, 2010
| Coach Berson Post-Match Interview |
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team (2-2-1) concluded action at the Gamecock Classic with a 4-0 loss to No. 8 UConn (5-0-1) on Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium.
UConn won the 2010 Gamecock Classic, going undefeated in two contests, while Iona finished second, followed by South Carolina and Kentucky.
Despite the loss, South Carolina held an 11-9 advantage in shots in the contest, while the Huskies held a 6-5 upperhand in shots on goal. Senior forward Blake Brettschneider led the Gamecock attack with four shots, including three on frame, while freshman midfielder Bradlee Baladez and classmate Antoine Parris also tallied one shot on goal for Carolina.
Alan Ponce led UConn with five shots, including three on goal, while also collecting one goal in the contest. Teammate Tony Cascio tallied the game winner and added an assist, while Stephane Diop and Carlos Alvarez each collected one goal in the Huskie win.
Defensively, South Carolina senior goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer collected two saves, while UConn netminder Josh Ford tallied five saves in the shutout.
It took the Huskies just three minutes to score in the match, as Cascio tallied the eventual game winner unassisted just 2:49 into the contest. Cascio beat two Gamecock defenders before scoring into the left side of the net. Diop added the second Huskie goal of the half ten minutes later on a double-assist from Nickardo Blake and Cascio. Cascio sent a low pass across the South Carolina six-yard box, which Diop sent to the back of the net for the 2-0 UConn upperhand.
South Carolina found its offensive rhythm late in the first half, controlling much of the pace of play through the final 20 minutes, but was unable to mark the scoreboard. Freshman midfielder Chipper Root missed wide of net in the 43rd minute and Ford saved a shot by Parris in the 45th minute to hold the contest scoreless at halftime.
UConn added two goals in the second half, the first by Alavarez in the 49th minute, followed in the 80th minute with Ponce adding the fourth Huskie goal of the match. Alavarez’s tally was unassisted, while Ponce earned his first goal of the season on a double-assist from Max Wasserman and Qian Grosvenor.
South Carolina continues non-conference action when it travels to face Charlotte on Saturday. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Team is listed below:
Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Team:
Alan Ponce, UConn
Tony Cascio, UConn
Jossimar Sanchez, UConn
Nickardo Blake, UConn
Doug Stephens, Iona
Jesse Fullerton, Iona
Julian Grajales, Iona
Stephen Morrissey, South Carolina
Will Traynor, South Carolina
Dylan Asher, Kentucky
Tyler Beadle, Kentucky
Offensive MVP: Alan Ponce, UConn
Defensive MVP: Julian Grajales, Iona
