The South Carolina men's soccer team took to the pitch for its regular season finale against the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night, securing a 2-1 victory. On senior night for the Gamecocks, Danny Deakin, Matt McManis, Kevin Walker, Kurtis Turner, Marco Velez, Koty Millard and Ive Burnett suited up for their final game at Stone Stadium.
The first half consisted of neutral possession by both sides and a shot total of 6-5 in favor of the Gamecocks.
The 43rd minute changed the pace of the game for South Carolina. Gamecocks’ senior Danny Deakin started the attack from the midfield, playing a through ball to Trygve Ellingstad on the outside of the 18 yard box, Ellingstad then crossed the ball in to Bjorn Gudjonsson who slotted the ball in the right side netting for a late first half goal for the Gamecocks. This was his seventh goal of the season. The first half score was 1-0 in favor of South Carolina.
Commenting on the goal of the sophomore forward, head coach Mark Berson said, "Bjorn, you need to give him credit because he’s scored big goals in big conference games now. He's really, really playing well."
Going into the second half, it seemed as though the Gamecocks would have the momentum, but Kentucky came out looking for the equalizing goal. In the 50th minute, they got it. A handball against the Gamecocks in the box gave the Wildcats a penalty kick. Junior defenseman Jordan Wilson converted the penalty kick, tying the game 1-1.
The middle portion of the second half seemed to mirror the first half, as neither team could seem to get the ball out of the middle of the field. The only difference, however, was the second half was a much more physical one.
It looked as though both teams had settled into the neutral battle until the 85th minute. The Gamecocks had taken more control of their possession and eventually drew a corner kick. The corner kick was played in by the senior Danny Deakin, and it floated over the defense and right on to the head of Andre Streete, who then placed it in the back of the net giving the Gamecocks a 2-1 lead.
South Carollina was able to hold off the Wildcats in the final minutes and closed out their season on senior night with a 2-1 victory.
“I feel like this was really important for us, as far as the NCAA Tournament," Berson said. “We needed to get a win over a top team. We’ve played a bunch of teams close."
The Gamecocks next game will come in the Conference USA Tournament on Wednesday in Huntington, West Virginia. South Carolina concluded the regular season as the second seed in Conference USA.