Box Score AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team earned a 2-0 victory at Georgia Southwestern Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference contest.
The Pacers are now 7-2-1 on the season, including a 2-1 record against league foes.
After a scoreless first half, head coach Ike Ofoje's team broke the tie with what turned out be the game-winning goal in the 58th minute of action. Nathan Shanko played a perfect pass toward the front of the frame to Jordan Misiri, who calmly booted the ball into the back of the net for the 1-0 edge.
The Pacers continued to press forward as Rodrigo Goncalves fired a shot on frame just over a minute later, but the Hurricanes' keeper was up to the task of stopping it.
USC Aiken earned three corner kicks within a four-minute span and had three shots during that stretch, including two that were on goal. However, Ofoje's team was unable to connect for an insurance goal.
The Pacers continued to push forward and the pressure paid off in the 77th minute of action. After a foul, Ryan Dwyer took the free kick and found Noel Mais, who blasted home the second goal of the match.
USC Aiken's offensive attack and relentless pressure did not allow the Hurricanes' offense to get going as the team struggled to get a shot on frame in the closing minutes.
Ofoje's goalkeeping tandem of Joshua Poissant and Brandon Jarosz combined for the shutout. Poissant faced three shots on goal and stopped them all while playing 81:21. Jarosz did not face a shot in the final 8:39 of the victory.
For the match, USC Aiken held a 24-9 advantage in shots, including an 18-3 margin in shots on goal. Ofoje's team maintained a 10-3 edge in corner kicks.
The Pacers return to action Monday at Flagler. The match is slated to start at 6:30 p.m.
