Oct. 29, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. –
The South Carolina men’s soccer team (6-5-4, 3-1-2 C-USA) looks to keep momentum going in Conference-USA on Wednesday at FIU (6-8-0, 2-4-0 C-USA). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m., in Miami, Fla.
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Opponent: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 at FIU
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Miami, Fla.
Stadium: FIU Soccer Stadium
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Carolina Quick Hits
South Carolina is in its 36th season of varsity soccer in 2013.
South Carolina head coach Mark Berson is in his 37th season overall and his 36th season as head coach of the Gamecocks. He is assisted by former players Spencer Lewis and Joey Worthen, both in their second season. Tim O’Toole is the volunteer assistant coach.
450
Head coach Mark Berson collected his 450th victory at the University of South Carolina in an overtime victory over No. 25 New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26. He is just the fourth Division I head coach to post 450 victories at one institution. On Nov. 1, 2011, Berson collected his 450th career win in a double overtime victory over No. 22 UCF in Orlando, Fla., becoming the eighth Division I coach all-time to reach the 450-win career milestone.
Last Week’s Action
In the 92nd minute, freshman forward Eli Dent scored an unassisted goal to lift the Gamecocks over No. 25 New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26. The 1-0 upset win was the first C-USA defeat for New Mexico, who is in their first year in the league. South Carolina limited the Lobos to just three shots on goal in the contest. Posting his third shutout of the season, freshman keeper Marco Velez was honored by C-USA as Defensive Player of the Week. The win was the Gamecocks’ first in overtime and the first victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Scouting FIU
FIU stopped a three-game skid on Saturday, Oct. 26, with a 4-1 defeat of Kentucky. The Panthers played the top three teams in the conference in the three previous losses, dropping games at New Mexico (1-2) and No. 13 UAB (0-1) before falling to Old Dominion 0-1 at home.
In the win over Kentucky, junior midfielder Roberto Alterio tallied two goals and boasts a team-leading seven goals on the season. Alterio and junior forward Quentin Albrecht are the offensive leaders with 16 points apiece. Alterio has two assists to go with his seven goals while Albrecht has recorded six goals and four assists on the season. Senior midfielder Gonzalo Frechilla leads the team in assists, posting six to go along with a pair of goals for 10 points on the season.
A pair of Panthers has handled the majority of the goalkeeping duties in 2013. Redshirt sophomore Daniel Mion has played the last three games and has posted 16 saves, a shutout and a 1.40 goals against average in his five matches this season. Freshman Lawrence Craggs has played and started in eight matches. In his 728 minutes of action, the netminder has 25 saves a 1.61 goals against average and two shutouts.
The Gamecocks have never lost to FIU, holding an 11-0-3 all-time record against the Panthers. Two of the three ties in the series have come in the last four meetings, including a 1-1 draw in September of 2012.
Scoring on Set Pieces
Of the Gamecocks’ 19 goals this season, 10 of the tallies have come directly (8) or indirectly (2) as a result of a set piece. Kaba and Arambula are the usual suspects, connecting four times for a score this season. Kaba’s team-leading fifth goal was on a rebound from a shot attempt created from a corner kick.
Overtime Matches
In its 15 regular-season matches, South Carolina has played seven overtime matches. Four have resulted in ties. Two of South Carolina’s losses have come in extra minutes. The Gamecocks have gone to extra time in four of their six confernce games this season.
Earlier Conference USA Action
Trailing 0-1 on the road at Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 19, senior midfielder J.P. Rafferty scored the equalizer in the 54th minute on a header. Ultimately, the Gamecocks and Herd tied 1-1 after 110 minutes of play. Freshman Kurtis Turner recorded his fourth assist of the season on the play, setting up Rafferty on a long cross off of a free kick. Turner broke into the Gamecock all-time top 10 for assists by a freshman. After the weekend, Rafferty and Turner are currently second and third on the team in points with seven and six, respectively.
Turner put the game-winning goal away in the 87th minute on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in a home conference match against FAU. The tally was Turner’s first career goal in the Garnet and Black. The Gamecocks also scored on a penalty kick from junior defender Braeden Troyer in the first half in the 2-1 victory.
The Gamecocks surrendered a 1-0 lead to No. 23 Tulsa on Sunday, Oct. 6. The Golden Hurricane scored the game-winner with three seconds on the clock in the first overtime period of the match. Junior defender Mahamoudou Kaba scored on a header from a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Ryan Arambula. The goal capped a three-goal week for Kaba after scoring two in the non-conference finale against Presbyterian earlier in the week.
In a road match against Kentucky on Sunday, Oct. 13, South Carolina collected one point in the C-USA race. The Gamecocks and Wildcats tied 0-0 after 110 minutes of action.
South Carolina’s first road win of the season could not have come at a better time. The Gamecocks scored two unanswered goals to defeat (RV) Charlotte 2-1 on Friday, Sept. 27. Junior defenders Mahamoudou Kaba and Braeden Troyer provided the offense. Troyer’s unassisted game-winner came off a rebound from a corner kick in the 81st minute. Prior to the Gamecocks’ two tallies, the 49ers had allowed just four goals over the course of their first seven matches of the season. Freshman keeper Marco Velez earned his first career win in the Garnet and Black.
Up Next for the Gamecocks
South Carolina has just two regular-season games remaining. On Sunday, Nov. 3, South Carolina travels to No. 10 UAB for a 3 p.m. contest. The final match of the season is on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m., in Stone Stadium. The Gamecocks face No. 24 Old Dominion in the C-USA matchup. Senior Day festivities will take place before the match.
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