Gamecocks Head North On I-77 To Take On Charlotte
Oct. 19, 2017
Men’s Soccer at Charlotte
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina (4-8-1, 0-4-1 C-USA) travels just up the road for an important Conference USA match at Charlotte (5-4-3, 2-1-2 C-USA) on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Transamerica Field.
The Gamecocks will be looking to pick up their first victory in conference play as an important three points in the standings are up for grabs. The 49ers have won the last three matches in the series dating back to 2014. The match will be streamed live through CUSAtv.
Carolina supported Ovarian Cancer Awareness all month long in September both at home and on the road by wearing teal warmup shirts for their matches. In addition to the shirts, the Gamecock coaching staff and support staff wore teal polo shirts on the sidelines at every game.
The team has been raising awareness for this cancer for three seasons now and encourages women to get regular check ups. Contact your local ovarian cancer support group for more information at 888-682-7426 or visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s website by clicking here. Remember, NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!
The teal warmup shirts worn by the team are on sale at the Russell House Bookstore, the game day store and online by clicking here.
FROM THE COACH
“Every conference game is always going to be huge for us. No matter what conference you’re in ââ’¬” when it comes down to the last three, the tension is palpable. You can really feel it. The guys feel it. The staff feels it. Every team feels it. If you look at the conference standings, nothing is a lock. These games are the most improtatnt games of the season. We’re really stressing to the guys it’s the next game. The next game is the most important, the next 45 and then after that the next 45 ââ’¬” take care of it one step at a time.” — assistant coach Tyler Kettering
SCOUTING CHARLOTTE
The 49ers have established themselves nationally with six straight NCAA Tournament appearances. They were picked preseason to win the league this year after winning the Conference USA Regular-Season title a year ago. All-American goalkeeper Elliot Panicco, the C-USA Freshman of the Year last season, has posted a 4-4-3 record in the net in 2017, notching three shutouts and 21 saves (.583 save percentage) in his 11 appearances. Panicco has allowed 15 goals, good for a 1.26 goals against average. Six players have multiple goals for Charlotte this year, led by Daniel Bruce’s team-high four scores. He also has three assists and leads the team in points with 11. Joe Brito leads the team with four assists. The 49ers have played a tough schedule and recently lost a close match to a top-five ACC foe in their last outing, falling 1-0 in overtime to No. 5 Louisville. They’re 1-1 in C-USA play at home this year, with a 1-0 win over Marshall early in the season.
UP NEXT
Carolina has a quick turnaround as it faces another tough road test next Tuesday night at North Carolina State (7-4-3, 2-3-1 ACC). Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Raleigh on the ACC Network Extra. The Wolfpack are on a five-match unbeaten streak heading into a tough conference road match at No. 5 Louisville on Saturday night.
