Gamecocks fall, 1-0, at No. 20 Old Dominion
Monarchs scored game-winner in the third minute of the match
NORFOLK, Va. — South Carolina (2-5-0, 0-2-0 C-USA) dropped a 1-0 decision on the road at No. 20 Old Dominion (5-2-1, 3-0-0 C-USA) on Sunday in league play. The Monarchs scored on an early counter attack in the third minute, and that proved the difference in the match.
“A disappointing loss today,” said head coach Mark Berson. “On the bright side, some of our younger players came on during the match and lifted our play. We will go to work this week to get ready for Kentucky at home on Saturday.”
The Gamecocks had two solid chances offensively in the first half. In the 23rd minute, sophomore Petter Soelberg sent an on-target cross into the six to junior Tucker Monheimer. He was 1v1 with a Monarch defender but was unable to get a header on the ball as it sailed out of bounds.
Junior Luca Mayr took a free kick from the near sideline late in the first half that was banged around in front of the goal before being cleared to safety by ODU. Carolina controlled possession for a vast majority in the first 45 minutes of play but didn’t register a shot.
The second half was much of the same as there was just one shot on either side the first 30 minutes – there were just nine shots total in the match. Mayr put a bullet on goal after bending a free kick around the wall from 25-yards out in the 83rd minute, but it was punched away by Mertcan Akar. The ensuing corner came up empty for the Gamecocks.
Carolina has no midweek game next week and returns home to host No. 7 Kentucky (6-0-1, 2-0-0 C-USA) on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. ET. The Gamecocks then hit the road again to take on No. 14 Virginia Tech (5-2-2, 0-2-1 ACC) on Tuesday, Oct. 2 in Blacksburg with coverage provided by the ACC Digital Network.
