Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team netted two second-half goals en route to a 2-1 victory at Flagler Monday evening.
The Pacers are now 8-2-1 overall, including a 3-1 record against Peach Belt Conference foes.
The host squad jumped on top of head coach Ike Ofoje's team by scoring a goal in the 19th minute of action.
USC Aiken went on an offensive attack the remainder of the first half, but the team was unable to find the back of the net.
In the 24th minute, Andre Simmond took back-to-back corner kicks and Nader Fakih's shot was blocked. The Pacers had a great opportunity in the 35th minute of action when Simmond rocketed a shot toward the frame, but it was once again blocked. Jordan Misiri placed a shot on goal in the 36th minute, but it was saved as Flagler maintained a 1-0 edge.
Ofoje's team pressed forward in the second stanza as it looked for the equalizer. After drawing a foul in the box, Noel Mais converted the penalty kick at the 52:27 mark, evening the contest.
The Pacers pushed forward immediately as the team tried to take the lead. Adria Dalmau's shot was blocked and Simmond headed over to take the corner kick. He placed the ball in an excellent location and Sandre Duncan hammered home what turned out to be the game-winning tally.
The Saints marched on and nearly tied the match. At the 84:04 mark, Flagler earned a corner kick. On the play, the Pacers were whistled for a foul in the box that resulted in a penalty kick. However, Jonny Cosgrove missed wide of the goal.
Joshua Poissant turned away a shot by Cosgrove with just 70 seconds remaining in the contest. Flagler had one more shot, but it was blocked by the stellar USC Aiken defense.
The Pacers held a 17-14 edge in shots. The squad also maintained a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Ofoje's team earned 12 corner kicks while the Saints had seven. Poissant played all 90 minutes between the pipes and he stopped three shots.
The Pacers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 15, when they host Coker in a non-conference competition.
