Sept. 21, 2012
TULSA, Okla. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (3-4-1, 0-1-0 C-USA) suffered a 4-0 loss at Tulsa (5-3-0, 1-0-0 C-USA) in the Conference USA opener for both schools on Friday. The Gamecocks continue league play when they travel to SMU on Monday.
Tulsa posted 18 shots against nine from the Gamecocks. Freshman midfielder Ryan Arambula led Carolina with two shots in the contest, while defender Eric Martinez, midfielder Stephen Anderson and midfielder Jeffrey Torda each added an attempt on frame. Alex Long collected four saves in net for the Gamecocks.
Forward Christian Mata led Tulsa with four shots, including the game-winning goal. Bryce Follensbee, Kyle Cumings and Akeil Barrett also scored for TU in the match. Netminder Mark Pais earned three saves.
Tulsa threatened early in the opening half, as Long was forced to make a save in the third minute on a strike from Mata. The teams traded possession before Mata scored the eventual game winner, giving Tulsa a 1-0 lead with a strike from 10 yards out in the 23rd minute.
The Gamecocks picked up offensive momentum midway through the half. Pais earned a save on a header attempt from Anderson in the 31st minute, and Torda and Arambula posted consecutive shots moments later, with Arambula’s hitting the crossbar.
Follensbee’s goal in the 40th minute gave Tulsa a 2-0 lead at the half.
Midfielder Niklas Kivinen had an attempt early in the second half, and Arambula forced Pias to make a save in the 63rd minute, but the Gamecocks were unable to mark the scoreboard.
Martinez saw his shot blocked in the 68th minute before Tulsa would add two late goals, one in the 85th minute, and another in the 87th to close the contest.
South Carolina continues its two-game road trip when it travels to SMU on Monday. Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET, with live stats available via GamecocksOnline.com.
