Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Georgia Southern in Conference Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team won its Sun Belt Conference opener Saturday afternoon (Sept. 24) over Georgia Southern 1-0. The Gamecocks improve to 5-3-1 on the season and their first win as a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

Carolina out-shot the Eagles 15-8 on the afternoon and held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. In net for the Gamecocks, Ben Alexander earned his second shutout of the season with a pair of saves.

South Carolina was looking dominate in the first half, putting up 10 shots and holding possession for 67 percent of the half.

The Gamecocks continued the offensive pressure early in the second half, finally breaking through in the 58th minute. Adam Luckhurst blasted a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that the GSU keeper was able to make a diving save on. However, Cristiano Bruletti was right there to gather the rebound and burry it home for his second goal of the season.

The lone shot on goal allowed in the second half by the Gamecock defense came in the 70th minute, but Alexander was able to knock the shot over the crossbar.

South Carolina returns to action October 1 at 7 p.m. when it travels to West Virginia for a Sun Belt Conference match.

For the latest on men’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockMSoccer, Facebook /GamecockMSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockMSoccer.