Gamecocks Fight for Tie at Furman, 2-2
Aug. 23, 2014
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team came away with a 2-2 draw at Furman on Saturday night, the final exhibition match of 2014 for the Gamecocks.
The final goal for the Gamecocks came late in the second, as Asa Kryst’s shot deflected off a Paladin defender and into the goal to knot the match at 2-2. South Carolina pressed the final two minutes with the newfound momentum but could not score a game-winner.
Furman took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when Evan De Ycaza put in a rebound from a corner kick from 24 yards away. That score stood at the end of the first half.
In the second, Gamecock Kurtis Turner leveled the contest with his shot to the lower left corner of the goal after he settled an attempted Furman clearance. But the Paladins answered less than a minute later, pushing forward and forcing a penalty kick, which Marco Ortiz converted.
Game Changer:
Asa Kryst’s 87th-minute goal knotted the match, capping an aggressive offensive push toward the end of the contest by the Gamecocks.
Key Stat:
The Gamecocks outshot Furman 8-4 in the contest, with the late flurry of offense helping lead to the tying goal.
Notables:
• South Carolina was called for five offsides; Furman three.
• Five of the Gamecocks eight shots came in the second half.
• Both goalkeepers made one save each, both in the second half.
Quotable – Gamecock head coach Mark Berson:
Our team showed a lot of character tonight, coming from behind twice on the road against a good opponent. Again, we gave up a penalty, and we need to stop making mistakes that are costly for us. But the attacking power that we showed in the second half and the fight was exceptional. Overall, there is a lot for us to build from going into Friday night’s opener.
Tweet of the Game:
Love resolve by @GamecockMSoccer in second half of exh with Furman. Had chance to win in final minute, but they’ll take 2-2 tie. #Gamecocks
— Spurs & Feathers (@SpursFeathers) August 24, 2014
Up Next:
South Carolina begins its 2014 season officially on Friday, August 29 against Belmont in the first matchup between the two programs. Kickoff for the third match of Friday (the women host the Garnet & Black Classic with the first two matches) at Stone Stadium is slated for 8:30 p.m.
