Carolina Draws With Florida Atlantic For First Conference Point
The Gamecocks saw a goal from Peter Clement and an Owls own goal on Sunday night
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina men’s soccer team earned its first conference point after a 2-2 draw with Florida Atlantic on Sunday night inside of Stone Stadium.
“I’m really pleased with that,” said head coach Tony Annan. “FAU is a really good team with really good players, and I think we matched them. At times, I felt like we were the better team on the pitch. We showed some grit and determination. We played good football at times. For me, it’s a step forward, it’s progress, and I’m pleased with that.”
In a back-and-forth match, the Gamecock equalizer came in the 74th minute. Jordan Matthews sent a cross in front of the Owls’ net where a Florida Atlantic defender attempted to disrupt the cross, but instead deflected the ball into the far post where it ricocheted into the back of the net. The Owls’ own goal was the final goal of play, leveling the match at 2-2.
The own goal came less than seven minutes after Florida Atlantic put itself ahead 2-1 when Ivan Mykhailenko scored a go-ahead goal for the Owls (6-1-2, 1-0-2 C-USA). The Owls took an initial lead with a goal in the 18th minute when Filip Jauk made it 1-0 in favor of the Owls.
Carolina’s first goal was also an equalizer. Peter Clement took a free kick from just outside of the penalty box in the 24th minute and sent it in to the upper right corner of the net. The goal was his second of the season. With those two points, Clement now leads the Gamecocks in points with six.
The Gamecocks (3-6-1, 0-2-1 C-USA) earned a free kick just outside out the penalty box and Harrison Myring had a breakaway opportunity stifled in the overtime periods but couldn’t find the back of the net on their chances for victory.
The draw earns the Gamecocks their first point in conference play. They have now totaled one point, leaving UAB alone at the bottom of the conference standings.
Ryan Bilichuk started in goal for Carolina. The Owls sent 10 shots in and only three of those came on goal. Bilichuk made just one save on Sunday night.
Carolina turns to its next match, which is at 8 p.m. on Saturday night against UAB in Birmingham, Alabama.
