On a night honoring the team's seniors, a freshman's late heroics helped the South Carolina men’s soccer team earn a 4-3 win against conference opponent Coastal Carolina on Friday.
The Gamecocks showcased its attacking prowess by holding an advantage in nearly every offensive category, including an 18-9 lead in shots, a 10-6 lead in shots on goal and a 7-4 lead in corner kicks. Despite these advantages, the match was ultimately decided when South Carolina came up with a game-winning goal just 34 seconds before the final whistle blew.
The Chanticleers dictated the match's tempo during the opening minutes by putting together extended periods of possession. Momentum shifted towards the home side in the 10th minute, when the Gamecocks capitalized on an in-swinging cross ball that was put into the net by a Coastal defender. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Jack Burgess, who attempted to make a play on the ball, was given credit for the goal.
However, the Gamecocks' early fortunes would not last long. Senior forward Adam Luckhurst, the team's leading scorer, was subbed out of the match with a hamstring injury one minute after the opening goal and did not return. The Chanticleers responded quickly, and in the 23rd minute, it found an equalizer from the foot of junior forward Noe Santos scoring a goal.
South Carolina continued piling pressure on Coastal Carolina's defensive line for the rest of the half and managed to outshoot Coastal 9-4 in the opening 45 minutes of the match, but the Gamecocks would have to wait longer before finding its way back onto the scoresheet.
The Gamecocks would pick up where it left off at the start of the second half, building a two-goal advantage on strikes from freshman midfielder Jordan Illian in the 57th minute and sophomore forward Damola Salami in the 72nd. Salami's goal was a milestone moment, as it marked his first time scoring in a collegiate game.
“It means everything, honestly,” Salami said. “To cap off the home games (by) getting a goal, it meant the world.”
Although South Carolina had built up a 5-1 shot advantage to open the second half, Coastal Carolina would not go away quietly. Senior forward Deryn Armstrong scored a goal 30 seconds later to cut the deficit to one goal, and sophomore midfielder Eythor Kjartansson made it a 3-3 game after scoring a goal directly from a free kick in the 87th minute.
The Gamecocks continued searching for a game winner in the latter stages of the game, and it eventually got one in the 89th minute. Sophomore midfielder Ethan Dekel Daks launched the ball forward to IIlian, who dribbled into the 18-yard box and flipped the ball over the Coastal Carolina goalkeeper's head and into the net to seal the victory.
“I rely on my ability. My team obviously put their trust in me. Daks played an amazing ball through, and I just couldn’t let him down from there,” Illian said. “I just had to put it in the back of the net just for our seniors and everyone else.”
Illian's last-minute goal capped off the night for South Carolina's seniors, who were recognized for their efforts during a pre-game ceremony. Head coach Tony Annan said senior night is an important tradition for players.
“It's important that we honor them, and it's a special night for them, and to send them off on the last home game with that feeling, it doesn't get any better," Annan said.
The Gamecocks will conclude its regular season with a road match against No. 6 Marshall on Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m., and the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.