Gamecocks lose to Charlotte, 1-0, in double OT
Daniel Bruce scored the game-winner in the 108th minute
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina (3-7-0, 0-4-0 C-USA) fell 1-0 in double overtime at home Sunday night to Charlotte (6-2-1, 2-2-0 C-USA). Daniel Bruce scored the game-winner on a counter attack for the 49ers in the 108th minute.
“I’m disappointed for our guys tonight,” said head coach Mark Berson. “It was our second overtime game in six days, and we weren’t able to get the win. The guys worked hard out there tonight. However, we can execute much better than we did. We will work to improve this week.”
The Gamecocks had a number of quality opportunities throughout the match, but struggled to connect passes in their attacking half.
Charlotte opened the match with four corners in the first 15 minutes, but Carolina was stout defensively on each set piece chance. The Gamecocks best chance to score in the first half would come in the 33rd minute. Freshman Josh Corning sent a great ball into the six from the near sideline. Senior Bjorn Gudjonsson and 49ers keeper Elliot Panicco met at the net to contest the ball in from Corning, and Panicco was able to redirect Gudjonsson’s touch outside the box.
Carolina held a 5-2 advantage in the shot column at the break.
The Gamecocks threatened in the 51st minute as junior Luca Mayr intercepted a pass at midfield and dribbled to the top of the 18. He slotted a pass to junior Tucker Monheimer, but Monheimer was whistled for offsides. Carolina didn’t record a shot the remainder of the match.
Sophomore Justin Bauer started his fourth consecutive game and finished with two saves as his bid for the first shutout of his career fell just shy.
Carolina has no midweek game before heading west to face New Mexico (3-9-0, 1-3-0 C-USA) in conference play on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. ET. The Gamecocks have a quick turnaround when returning from Albuquerque, welcoming in No. 1 Wake Forest (11-1-0, 4-1-0 ACC) to Stone Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 16, for a non-conference midweek battle. It’s Gamecock Club Appreciation Night as all Gamecock Club and Junior Gamecock Club members receive free admission by showing their Gamecock Club membership card or wearing their Junior Gamecock Club t-shirt. Students also get double rewards points for attending the match.
