Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over UNC Pembroke on Senior Day in a Peach Belt Conference contest.
The Pacers are now 12-3-1 overall, including a 6-2 mark against league foes. It marks the best record for the squad since a 12-6-2 mark during in 2006.
It looked as though Noel Mais would get things going early on for USC Aiken. After a foul just outside the box, another foul was whistled about 12 yards away from the goal. Despite being awarded a penalty kick, head coach Ike Ofoje's team was unable to convert it into a score as the Braves' keeper was up for the challenge.
The Pacers continued applying pressure, but back-to-back corner kicks did not result in a score in the fourth minute of play.
UNC Pembroke had a pair of corner kicks and a shot on goal, but Jarosz managed to snag it out of the air.
Although the Braves had a shot in the 15th and 21st minutes, nether team recorded another attempt until the 39th minute of play. Ofoje's squad posted shots in the 41st and 43rd minutes, but Mais was wide of the target and Jordan Misiri was turned away.
After a passionate speech by Ofoje at the break, USC Aiken pushed forward. Just 3:35 into the second stanza, Adria Dalmau's header was saved. Dalmau attempted another shot three minutes later, but Kenneth Perkinson stopped him again.
Jan Wester rocketed a shot toward the frame but it was blocked in the 63rd minute. It was not until Rodrigo Goncalves took a throw in did the Pacers' offense get going. Goncalves saw Mais in the box and he heaved it right to Mais, who quickly fired home a shot across the front of the goal to the lower left corner, which did not allow the keeper to even move.
USC Aiken had a couple of more chances late in the match, but was unable to convert.
For the match, USC Aiken had a 16-5 edge in shots and a 9-6 margin in corner kicks. Brandon Jarosz and Joshua Poissant combined for the shutout. Jarosz started the match and ended up with a save. Poissant played the second period and maintained the clean slate.
The Pacers return to action Saturday at North Georgia in the regular-season finale. The match is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
