Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team put forth a tremendous effort in the 5-1 victory over North Georgia on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers conclude the regular season with an 8-4-3 record, including a 5-3-1 mark against league foes.
USC Aiken was kept off the scoreboard until late in the first half when Rodgrigo Goncalves dribbled down the right side of the pitch. He flicked the ball to Nathan Shanko, who fired home the first score of the match at the 43:37 mark.
After intermission, the Pacers continued applying pressure on the offensive third of the pitch. In the 67th minute, Gabriel Locher was in the midst of a scramble in the box. He passed it to Ryan Dwyer, who promptly rocketed off a shot that found the back of the net for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Head coach Ike Ofoje's team would strike again as a pair of seniors connected for the score at the 83:33 mark. Smith played the ball off to Jarrel Smalls, who found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.
The visitors sliced the deficit to 3-1 on an unassisted goal at the 85:36 mark. However, USC Aiken ensured there would be no comeback from the visitors.
Edmund Eastick took a free kick on the right side of the pitch and blasted a shot to the left side of the goal for a 4-1 lead at the 88:05 mark. Thirty-seven seconds later, Billy Johns found Sajih Daychoum for the final goal of the match.
For the contest, Smalls led the way with three shots, including a pair on frame. Eastick and Shanko each had a pair of shots in the win.
Alessandro Gentile played all 90 minutes between the pipes, stopping a pair of shots.
USC Aiken out-shot the visitors 10-6 and held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
It marked the last home match for seniors Mckinley Blezin, Sajih Daychoum, Sandre Duncan, Ryan Dwyer, Edmund Eastick, Gabriel Locher, Daane Mallek, Jarrel Smalls and Dean Smith.
The Pacers return to action this week in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. The team is the No. 5 seed and will travel to Francis Marion, who is the No. 4 seed. The match time will be announced on Monday.
