Gamecocks Drop Match Against Spartans
Carolina outshot USC Upstate 13-5, but was unable to net a goal
COLUMBIA— The South Carolina men’s soccer team lost by a score of 1-0 to USC Upstate on Friday night at Stone Stadium.
“The message was that I was pleased with their effort and with the way they played,” head coach Tony Annan said. “I’m disappointed we lost 1-0 on a set piece. We created probably double digits in terms of chances but didn’t put much on target or anything near it.
“I’m proud of the way they played and the way they worked. Again, I saw progress, but not for long enough.”
The decisive play of the evening came in the 52nd minute. The Spartans (2-4-1) took their first corner kick of the evening and converted. Hayden Anderson headed one past Ryan Bilichuk off the corner kick. Mario Arrocha earned the assist for starting the set piece.
Carolina (1-5-0) earned plenty of chances but were unable to net a goal. The Gamecocks ended the match with a 13-5 advantage in shots and a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The Gamecocks appeared to have netted the first goal of the evening in the 6th minute but was called off due to an offsides judgement.
Carolina had seven shots after the Spartan goal. The Gamecocks also continued to earn corner kicks. Tied for 16th in the country in corner kicks per game, the Gamecocks added 10 to their total on Friday night.
Christian Kraus had three shots, all of which came on goal. His shots all came in the first half for the Gamecocks.
Parker League, Justin Kopay and Logan Frost all rattled off two shots of their own. League and Frost had back-to-back shots blocked in the 74th minute.
Bilichuk started at goalkeeper for Carolina for his first start of the year. He made one save against two shots on goal.
The Gamecocks return to play against Mercer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night inside of Stone Stadium.
