Gamecocks Battle FIU To 0-0 Draw In Miami
Oct. 10, 2016
MIAMI, Fla. South Carolina (7-3 overall, 2-0-1 C-USA) extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches after playing FIU (3-6-2 overall, 1-2-1 C-USA) to a 0-0 draw in Miami on Monday night. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 8, but was moved to tonight due to inclement weather from Hurricane Matthew.
The first half was a defensive battle as there was only five shots combined between the two teams. The Gamecocks had three shots with one shot on goal and the Panthers recorded two shots with no shots on goal.
Carolina held a 7-2 advantage on corner kicks in the match with several solid scoring opportunities that came up short.
The Gamecocks best scoring chance in regulation came off a beautiful cross into the box by senior Danny Deakin from just inside midfield. Sophomore Peyton Ericson was unable to get enough juice on his header and goalkeeper Arthur Clapot was able to make the save.
Freshman Luca Mayr nearly ended the game in the 105th minute on a free kick via handball from 15-yards out. The Steyr, Austria, native fired a bending dart to the near post, but Clapot made a stellar save to keep the match scoreless.
Goalkeeper William Pyle was huge down the stretch making several key saves. The highlight of the evening came when Pyle made a full-extension save on a FIU penalty kick from 12-yards out in the 108th minute. He finished the game with three saves, all coming in the second half and overtime.
The shutout was the third of the season for Pyle, who improved his record to 7-1-1 Monday night.
Each team was awarded a point in the Conference USA standings for the scoreless draw. Carolina remains the only unbeaten team in C-USA at 2-0-1.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mark Berson on hist team’s gritty effort: “This was a typical Conference USA battle from start to finish. Both goalkeepers were called on to make great saves. It was not our best performance in our execution, but the team showed a lot of guts out there. This was a difficult trip for us logistically due to the storm, and our guys went right to their tasks. I’m proud of our staff and our players tonight.”
GAMECHANGER
With his back against the wall in the 108th minute, goalkeeper William Pyle rose to the challenge and stopped an FIU penalty kick to keep the match tied at 0-0.
KEY STAT
Seven Gamecocks played all 110 minutes: Ive Burnett, Matt McManis, Kurtis Turner, Danny Deakin, Peyton Ericson, Julian Veen Uldal and William Pyle.
NOTABLE
- Senior midfielder Danny Deakin remains the team leader in points with 14 (5G, 4A).
- Junior goalkeeper William Pyle is now 7-1-1 on the year with 29 saves and three shutouts.
- Deakin leads the team in shots with 37 with freshman striker Luca Mayr close behind at 36.
- Mayr leads the team with 17 shots on goal and Deakin ranks second with 14.
UP NEXT
Carolina returns to Stone Stadium Saturday night for a crucial C-USA match with UAB (6-3-3 overall, 2-1-1 C-USA). The Gamecocks and Blazers are currently tied for second in the conference standings with seven points. No. 17 Charlotte (7-2-0 overall, 3-1 C-USA) sits alone in first with nine points. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at The Graveyard.
