UCF Knights Stun South Carolina Gamecocks 2-0 in Soccer Match

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (7-3-1, 1-1-1) lost to UCF (3-5-1, 1-2-0) 2-0 in a Sun Belt Conference match Saturday night at Stone Stadium.

The Gamecocks struggled to take control of the game, finishing with nine shots, five of which were on target. UCF matched the intensity, totaling 15 shots, with five hitting the mark and earning a slight edge in corner kicks at 5-2.

South Carolina started strong with back-to-back shots in the 15th minute from Tyler Trimnal and Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez, both saved by UCF goalkeeper Juanvi Munoz. UCF responded with a shot from Clarence Awoudor, saved by Gamecock keeper Filip Versterre in the 20th minute.

The Knights continued to press, maintaining three shots and two corner kicks but could not score in the first half. The second half saw UCF take the lead with a goal from Mateus Dejesus, assisted by Awoudor, in the 61st minute.

Carolina tried to rally back, with Trimnal and Velazquez-Lopez leading the attack, registering four shots on goal, but remained thwarted by Munoz’s saves. A corner kick opportunity in the 78th minute, following a shot from Ethan Ballek, also failed to generate a goal.

UCF capped the match with a second goal from Malick Thiaw, assisted by Awoudor again, after a save from Versterre in the 80th minute.

UP NEXT: The Gamecocks will host Old Dominion for Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. For more information on the team, fans can visit their social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.