Box Score LAKELAND, FLA--For the first time in four matches this season, the USC Aiken men's soccer team had its contest decided in regulation. A late goal by Florida Southern's Mike Bierman with 1:24 remaining broke a 1-1 tie as the Moccasins (2-1-1) handed the Pacers (2-1-1) their first defeat of the season 2-1 in men's non-conference soccer action Saturday night. This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 

Despite a long bus trip, the Pacers bolted out of the gate early. Junior Emmanuel Maduka (4) dribbled past the Florida Southern defense off an Andre Joseph pass to beat goalkeeper James Mason from 12 yards out in the fifth minute. 

After controlling play in the opening 15 minutes, USCA committed a critical mistake leading to the game-tying goal. A take down in the penalty box led to Asa Pepia's penalty kick which beat Harold Tate to make it 1-1 in the 19th minute. 

Florida Southern held a slight 5-4 advantage in shots in the first half and finished ahead 10-8 for the game. USCA had a sizable advantage on corner kicks 7-3, but was unable to cash in on that edge. 

With time winding down and the Pacers almost assuredly heading for another overtime match, Boris Juric drove the ball down the sideline and crossed it into Bierman in the center of the box. Bierman slipped it past Tate for the game winner with less than 90 seconds to play. 

Tate finished with one save in net for the Pacers while Mason stopped three shots for the Moccasins. 

USC Aiken is scheduled to take on St. Thomas Aquinas, a Division II school out of the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference, on Sunday at 11:00 AM at Florida Southern's soccer complex if Hurricane Ivan does not force its cancellation. Then the Pacers return home to open up Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday, September 18 when they host rival USC Upstate (formerly USC Spartanburg) at 3:30 PM.

Men's Soccer Game Summary (Final)
USC Aiken vs. Florida Southern (Sep 11, 2004 at Lakeland, Fla.)
USC Aiken (2-1-1) vs. Florida Southern (2-1-1)
Date: Sep 11, 2004 Attendance: 198
Weather: Partly cloudy and warm

Goals by period............1...2...Tot
USC Aiken..................... 1...0...1
Florida Southern.......... 1...1...2

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 4:31 USCA Maduka, Emmanuel (4) (Joseph, Andre) - Shot from 12 yards to near post
2. 18:30 FSC Asa Pepia Penalty kick
3. 88:36 FSC Mike Bierman (1) (Boris Juric) - Cross from right corner, one-touch shot

Shots: USC Aiken 8, Florida Southern 10
Saves: USC Aiken 1 (Tate, Harold 1), Florida Southern 3 (James Mason 3)
Corner kicks: USC Aiken 7, Florida Southern 3
Offsides: USC Aiken 1, Florida Southern 3
Cards: YC: Ryan Wolfe (FSC, 34:50), Mamadou Ndoye (USCA, 35:55), Mike Bierman (FSC, 88:36)