Gamecock Comeback Comes Up Just Short to No. 2 UCF

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (4-7-3, 2-3-2), nearly pulled off the comeback after going three goals down to No. 2 UCF (9-1-2, 5-1-1) Sunday night (Oct. 22), but the Gamecocks fell to the Knights 3-2.

Carolina out-shot UCF 13-to-12 on the night, but the Knights led 7-to-2 in shots on goal. Corner kicks were tied 6-6. In net for the Gamecocks, Ben Alexander finished with four saves.

The first half was quiet on both sides until the Knights broke through, scoring on a turnover deep in the zone in the 39th minute.

UCF added two quick goals in the second half, scoring in the 65th and 66th minutes.

The tide changed for the Gamecocks when Adam Luckhurst put home his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 74th minute. Jack Burgess played a long ball into the far side of 8-yard box. Jordan Illian played it back to the center, where Luckhurst buried it home.

Less than two minutes later, Luckhurst was on a breakaway but was taken down by the UCF goalkeeper. The goalie was shown a red card, giving the Gamecocks a man advantage opportunity for the final 15 minutes of the match.

In the 83rd minute, another Knight foul occurred just outside the box, giving the Gamecocks a free kick opportunity. Burgess stepped up and deliver it home into the upper right 90 for his first goal of the season.

Carolina attempted four shots in the final seven minutes but could not find the equalizer.

The Gamecocks close out their home schedule when they host Coastal Carolina for Senior Day October 27 at 7 p.m.

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.