Carolina squares off with Gardner-Webb in exhibition finale Saturday
Gamecocks drew with No. 10 Duke, 1-1, on Wednesday
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will play its final exhibition match of the season on Saturday night at Stone Stadium, squaring off with Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. Admission to the friendly is free.
The Gamecocks took the field for the first time on Wednesday against No. 10 Duke. Carolina drew with the Blue Devils, 1-1, after leading for most of the match. Junior forward Luca Mayr, who was a First Team All-Conference USA selection in 2017, scored in the 55th minute for the Gamecocks after heading in a perfect cross to the far post by freshman Josh Corning.
Senior Ian McGrane and freshman Ryan Bilichuk split time in goal, combining for seven saves in the match.
Gardner-Webb went 8-7-2 in 2017 competing in the Big South Conference. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are led by longtime head coach Tony Setzer, who is entering his 31st season with the team. Kettering, who is in his second season as an assistant at Carolina, played goalie (2003-06) for Setzer and served as associate head coach (2009-16) on his staff. As a player, he led the nation in saves twice (2004, 2006) and set school and conference records for career saves (446).
Carolina opens its 2018 regular season slate versus No. 13 Georgetown on Friday, Aug. 24, at the Graveyard at 7 p.m. ET. Joint season tickets with South Carolina women’s soccer are still on sale and can be purchased online by clicking here.
