Second Half Goals Power Gamecocks Past Charlotte

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s soccer (3-2) took down Charlotte (1-2-1) on Friday night (Sept. 5) 2-1 at Stone Stadium. Sophomores Yvan Malarte and Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez scored their first goals of the season to lift the Gamecocks to the win over a 49er squad that won the American Conference a season ago.

South Carolina’s first chance came in the 8th minute when senior Ethan Ballek dribbled the ball from the right sideline to the top of the 18-yard box. His shot to the lower right corner forced a 49er save.

The two teams battled for possession for most of the half, with South Carolina’s next chance coming in the 36th minute. Freshman Matthew DeJianne threatened with a shot on target from a distance.

Sophomore goalkeeper Filip Versterre kept the 49ers off the scoreboard with a leaping save in the 41st minute on a corner kick. It was the only shot on goal of the half for Charlotte.

The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute on a free kick taken by Velazquez-Lopez. His cross connected with Malarte at the 6-yard box, who headed the ball into the net for his first goal in the Garnet and Black.

Velazquez-Lopez scored his own goal quickly after, slotting the ball across the goalkeeper in the bottom right corner. Malarte got the assist when he played the ball through the 49ers back line to Velazquez-Lopez in the 61st minute.

Charlotte got on the board in the 86th minute, but Versterre made a pair of saves in the final minute to cement the victory.

On the night, Charlotte led 23-to-5 in shots, 8-to-4 in shots on goal, and 8-to-2 in corner kicks. Versterre finished the match with seven saves in net.

Freshman Shawn Lanza made his first appearance as a Gamecock  with nine minutes to play in the match.

The Gamecocks close out their homestand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Winthrop.

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.