Box Score MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team stepped out of conference play and defeated Mount Olive by a 2-1 score Tuesday afternoon.
The Pacers improve to 4-3-2 on the season with the victory.
USC Aiken got on the board at the 6:58 mark after the Trojans were whistled for a foul in the box. Andre Simmond promptly stepped to the line and played the ball to the lower right corner of the frame while the keeper dove the opposite direction for a quick 1-0 lead.
Head coach Ike Ofoje's squad had a chance to increase its lead, but the Trojans' keeper managed to save a shot by Jarrel Smalls in the 16th minute of action. Dean Smith was turned away after his shot rocketed toward the goal in the 21st minute of play.
In the waning moments of the opening period, Adria Dalmau's header nearly found the back of the net. However, it hit the post and trickled away from the end-line, leaving it a 1-0 contest at the break.
The Trojans tried to equal the contest moments into the second period, but Andre Bernardini turned away a shot by Hunter Gregory, preserving the 1-0 advantage.
USC Aiken continued pushing forward, but the team was unable to get find the back of the net until the 85th minute of play. Jordan Misiri played a long ball toward the box and Smalls quickly maintained possession before rifling a shot from 15 yards out that found the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal.
Mount Olive quickly countered, recording a pair of shots over the next four minutes, and promptly connected for a score at the 88-minute mark. However, the defense for the Pacers stepped up and would not allow another shot by the home squad en route to the one-goal win.
For the match, Smalls posted four shots, including three on goal, to lead the way. Simmond recorded a pair of shots, while both found the back of the net.
USC Aiken held a 12-9 advantage in shots and posted a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
Bernardini played all 90 minutes between the pipes, registering four saves in the contest.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Montevallo. The match is slated to start at 8:30 p.m.
