Gamecocks Earn Draw at Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (4-6-3, 2-2-2) picked up a point in the Sun Belt standings Wednesday night (Oct. 18), as the Gamecocks earned a 1-1 draw at Georgia Southern (1-7-6, 0-3-3).

On the night, Carolina led in every offensive category, out-shooting the Eagles 14-to-9 and 6-to-5 in shots on goal, and 13-to-2 in corner kicks. In goal for South Carolina, Ben Alexander finished with four saves.

The Gamecock offense pushed the tempo to begin the match, as all seven of their first half shots came in the opening 32 minutes. Carolina was unable to capitalize on their three shots on goal. The defense held the Eagles without a shot until the 36th minute of the match, which led to the match being scoreless at halftime.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard first with a loose ball goal in the 65th minute. Seven minutes later, Jordan Illian scored the equalizer for the first goal of his career. Illian snatched the ball away from a GSU defender and struck it through the five-hole of the goalkeeper just outside the left side of the 8-yard box.

Neither team was able to find the back of the next in the final 18 minutes, as Carolina was held without a shot on goal.

The Gamecocks return home to host No. 2 UCF Sunday at 6 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the women’s team.

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.