Banahan Goal In Overtime Leads Gamecocks To Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. —- Brian Banahan’s goal at the 96-minute mark in overtime was the difference maker as South Carolina men’s soccer earned its fourth-straight victory in a 2-1 win over USC Upstate on Wednesday night at Stone Stadium. In a match that featured 28 fouls and nine cards, the Gamecocks found a way to push across the finish line to victory as Banahan scored the match-winning goal in overtime against the Spartans for the second-straight year.
 
Carolina has now outscored opponents 12-3 over the course of its winning streak that dates back to a 1-0 shutout on the road at Mercer on Oct. 9.
 
“It was a huge moment for us,” head coach Mark Berson said on the Banahan goal. “Huge solid win. For a lot of our players with us starting a lot of freshmen in the lineup, this was their first overtime situation. So, they’re having to deal with sudden death in overtime. That was important and big for us to get the win.”  
 
South Carolina (5-2, 0-0 C-USA) came out with a renewed energy in the second half and was almost immediately rewarded as Logan Frost chipped one in to give the Gamecocks the first lead of the night at 1-0 at the 59-minute mark.
 
The Spartans’ comeback effort was highlighted with a goal at the 72-minute mark, but it wasn’t enough as Banahan’s overtime finish was the difference.
 
Ryan Bilichuk earned the win in the net.
 
Upstate finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots while the Gamecocks led 5-2 on corners.
 
Carolina now turns its attention to Furman when it hits the road this Sunday for a 6:00 p.m. ET kick. Live stats will be provided through gamecocksonline.com.
 
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SCORING SUMMARY
Logan Frost (South Carolina) – 59-minute mark
Jeremy Montero (Upstate) – 72-minute mark
Brian Banahan (South Carolina – 96-minute mark
 
ASSIST SUMMARY
Pol Monells (Upstate) – 72-minute mark
Justin Kopay (South Carolina) – 96-minute mark
 
CARD SUMMARY
Peter Clement (South Carolina) – 19-minute mark
Filippo Censini (Upstate) – 24-minute mark
Donovan Wu (South Carolina) – 31-minute mark
Javier Torres (Upstate) – 34-minute mark
Sekou Soumah (South Carolina) – 34-minute mark
Mark Roby (South Carolina) – 38-minute mark
Roberto Umana (Upstate) – 55-minute mark
Jordan Matthews (South Carolina) – 60-minute mark
Pol Monells (Upstate) – 74-minute mark