Men’s Soccer Earns 4-1 Victory Opening Night

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Loïc Sany Kong scored two goals and assisted on another opening night, as the South Carolina men’s soccer team earned a decisive 4-1 road victory Thursday (Aug. 20) at North Florida.

It marks the third straight season the Gamecocks have won their season opener. Both sides attempted 10 shots on the night, with Carolina holding a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. UNF led in corner kicks 8-to-5.

The Osprey had the first shot of the game in the 11th minute, but South Carolina goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler made a diving save to his right.

Carolina opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Mika Habel played a short throw-in to Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez. He would serve it into the box where it found the head of Yvan Malarte and then the back of the net.

UNF tied the score just before the half off a corner kick in the 37th minute.

South Carolina’s offensive attack wasted no time in the second half, scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes. In the 54th minute it was Emil Seedorff playing a touch to Sany Kong who was sprinting up the left side. Sany Kong took a touch and fired a shot into the bottom right corner to put the Gamecocks back on top.

In the 66th minute it was Sany Kong taking a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. His shot found the head of Angel Lopez, who deflected it home into the bottom left corner. On the ensuing kickoff, Carolina stole the ball and had a 3-on-3 opportunity. Gabriel Nickerson found Lopez in the middle, who played a quick touch pass to Sany Kong who was wide open on the left side. He made quick work of it and again found the bottom right corner for his second goal of the night. It is the first career brace for Sany Kong and his first career multi-point match.

Scheidweiler finished the match with two saves in goal.

The Gamecocks open their home schedule August 24 when they host USC Upstate at 7 p.m.