The South Carolina men's soccer team dropped its second straight Friday night at Stone Stadium, losing to the USC Upstate Spartans 2-1 in a game that came down to the final whistle.
The Gamecocks started the game, getting an early shot off from junior forward Keanan Bader within the first two minutes of the match.
The Spartans responded with a breakaway of its own; however, sophomore goalkeeper Filip Versterre blocked the shot attempt to give the Gamecocks a free kick.
Shortly after on the other end, sophomore forward Loïc Sany Kong created space for himself getting a shot off and leading to the game's first corner kick.
USC Upstate sophomore forward Oskar Kaufmann got the Spartans on the board first , dribbling through the Gamecocks' defense to give Upstate the 1-0 lead just ten minutes into the match.
The Gamecocks' defense struggled early on, allowing the Spartans many early chances, with 11 shots in just the first half, compared to five for the Gamecocks.
Offensively, the opportunities the Gamecocks did manage were short-fused, mostly due to self-inflicted errors such as being called for offside twice in the first half, both taking shots off the board.
The Gamecocks found some offensive momentum to close the half. South Carolina forced multiple corner kicks, leading to its first shot in over 30 minutes coming from senior midfielder Alexander Stjernegaard.
Setting the tone in the first half, physicality was ever apparent with 12 combined fouls in the game's opening frame.
To open the second half, the Gamecocks built on its late offensive success of the first half.
Applying pressure offensively, the Gamecocks created opportunities for itself, crossing the ball into the middle, threatening to score to begin the second half.
Controlling the ball, the team was able to create an attack offensively, doubling its shot total for the game in the first ten minutes of the second half.
Coming down the stretch, the Gamecocks did not waiver in keeping the pressure on the Spartans and looking for the equalizer, as they continued to get shots at the opposing goal.
The Gamecocks found the back of the net in the 77th minute after senior midfielder Ethan Ballek scored a goal from the left side to tie the game at 1-1.
The Spartans, however, answered immediately by putting the ball in the box and drawing a penalty kick in the 78th minute. Kaufmann stepped up and delivered his second and go-ahead goal to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead.
The Gamecocks mounted one final promising attack late in the game created by a centering pass that gave senior forward Tyler Trimnal a header that he put on goal before being saved by sophomore goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin.
Misuse of offensive opportunities
For the last 55 minutes of the game, the Gamecocks controlled the pace of the game, out-shooting Upstate 18 to three in the second half. With many chances to score, the Gamecocks failed to convert.
“We just got to keep working with those lads to be confident enough to put them away,” head coach Tony Annan said.
In addition to shots, the Gamecocks managed 13 corner kicks compared to two for the Spartans. Going forward, the team will have to capitalize when given opportunities at the opposing net.
Inspired second half
After a lackluster first half, the Gamecocks came back more aggressive on the offensive end. Defensive adjustments dismantled a Spartan offense that saw great success early in the game.
“It was really good after the break. We made a fair few changes,” Annan said. “Second half, we dominated.”
A controversial penalty kick that broke the tie late in the game was the only offense that the Gamecock defense allowed in the second half, coming just moments after it tied the game.
Substitutions
A key change for the Gamecocks in the second half was its personnel. Annan made a move at midfield, putting in seniors Ted Cargill and Ethan Ballek, along with freshman defender Riccardo Oddi.
Early in the season, the Gamecocks are still looking for the right combinations to get its desired results. Ballek delivered after the substitution, scoring the only goal for the Gamecocks.
“We definitely made a change in center midfield, not just personnel, but the way we did it, and it definitely worked,” Annan said.
What’s next?
The Gamecocks (1-2) are back at Stone Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 2 to face the FIU Panthers (1-1-1). The game is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.