NORFOLK, Va. – In a meeting of the last two undefeated teams in the country Friday night, Sept. 18, the fourth-ranked South Carolina men’s soccer team (7-0, 1-0) was the only one left standing after its 2-1 road victory at No. 13 Old Dominion (7-1, 0-1) to open Sun Belt play. Carolina is now the only team in Division I that is undefeated and untied.
The Gamecocks improve to 7-0 on the season for the first time since 2003. The seven-match winning streak is their longest since also winning seven straight during the 2016 season. It was the fourth win for Carolina over a ranked opponent this season, the most in Division I.
The Monarchs took an early lead when they scored off a corner kick in the 17th minute. Carolina had its chances in the first half, putting five shots on target, but trailed at the break.
After a couple of early opportunities in the second half, South Carolina used set pieces to its advantage and scored twice, with the goals coming two minutes apart. The first Gamecock goal came in the 60th minute when Daniel Lang sent a corner kick to the near post, where Cristian Ortiz headed it home. The goal was Ortiz’s first of his career.
Carolina took the lead 2:42 later, when Lang again sent a corner kick to the near post. The serve found Loïc Sany Kong as he was running away from the goal, where he made an incredible back heel shot, flicking it just inside the far post. It was Sany Kong’s fourth goal of the season.
For the match, ODU led 17-to-13 in total shots, while South Carolina had an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Monarchs led in corner kicks 7-to-5. Carolina goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler finished the night with a season-high five saves.
The Gamecocks return home to host the College of Charleston September 22 for Senior Night at 7 p.m.
Source: gamecocksonline.com — Read the original article
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