Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team defeated Flagler by a score of 1-0 in a Peach Belt Conference contest.
The Pacers are now 3-3-2 on the season and 1-2 against league foes.
The contest was scoreless until the 39th minute of action. That's when Jarrel Smalls crossed the ball from the right side of the pitch to the middle of the field. Nathan Shanko awaited the pass and promptly rocketed home a shot that found the back of the net for a 1-0 edge.
Head coach Ike Ofoje's team dominated Flagler throughout the match. In the first 45 minutes of action, the Pacers accounted for four shots compared to just one by the visitors. The lone shot was not on frame.
USC Aiken tried to increase its lead in the opening moments of the second period, but Jordan Misiri missed just wide of the frame. Following a corner kick by Simmond, Dean Smith's shot narrowly missed the back of the net.
The Saints' first shot on goal came in the 62nd minute of play and Andre Bernardini was up to the task, easily gaining possession of the ball.
Flagler tried to be more aggressive, but USC Aiken quickly countered each time. Misiri's shot at the 74-minute mark was stopped by the Saints' keeper.
The Saints had a couple of shots within a 60-second period, but one was blocked and Bernardini stopped the other one.
Ofoje's squad had a couple of chances late in the match that would have built the lead, but Andre Simmond missed high and Misiri's shot was saved by the Saints' keeper.
For the match, USC Aiken tallied seven corner kicks compared to three by the Saints. Bernardini played all 90 minutes between the pipes, recording three stops while posting the shutout.
The Pacers return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 13, when they travel to Mount Olive for a 4 p.m., contest.
