Men’s Soccer Falls to Cougars on Senior Night

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 1 ranked South Carolina men’s soccer team (7-1-0) suffered its first loss of the season Tuesday night (Sept. 22), falling 2-1 to the College of Charleston (5-1-2) at Stone Stadium.

Prior to the match, the Gamecocks honored its six seniors, Mika Habel, Jack Kilstrom, Angel Lopez, Yvan Malarte, Alex Shields, and Isaiah Whittaker Francis.

The College of Charleston struck first in the 27th minute when Stian Bendvold found the back of the net.

South Carolina continued to create opportunities late in the half as it out-shot the Cougars 11-to-2. Carolina’s equalizing goal came in dramatic fashion with just 27 seconds remaining in the half. Angel Lopez sent a cross into the box where it deflected off the head of Omar Robbana to Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez, who headed it home. Though initially called offsides, the goal was overturned upon video review to send the teams into halftime tied 1-1. The goal was Velazquez-Lopez’s fourth goal of the season

The score remained deadlocked deep into the second half before CofC broke the tie in the 85th minute on a second goal from Bendvold.

For the match, South Carolina outshot the Cougars 20-to-5 and held a 3-to-2 advantage in shots on goal. Carolina led heavily in set pieces with seven corner kicks to Charleston’s one.

The Gamecocks return to action September 27 when they host a Sun Belt match against James Madison at 7 p.m.