AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team lost a hard-fought double-overtime contest to Catawba Wednesday evening in the team's home opener.
The Pacers are now 1-1 on the season while the Indians improve to 3-0.
Head coach
Ike Ofoje's team applied plenty of offensive pressure in the opening half.
Jaymee Kambel rocketed a shot toward the frame in the 11
th minute, but the Indians' keeper was up to the challenge.
Maik Spiekermann registered a shot on goal in the 16
th minute of action.
Yannis Wome and
Jervel Tobierre notched back-to-back attempts to no avail. Newcomer
Wynston Johnson's shot was stopped at the 42:51 mark.
USC Aiken's defense was outstanding, keeping the visitors off the board through the first 45 minutes of action.
Joey Valenti registered five saves, including a couple from close range.
Three minutes into the extra session, a yellow card was issued on the Indians. Spiekermann took a shot from 35 yards out. His sensational attempt curled toward the goal, but it missed high, leaving the contest knotted at 0-0.
With less than two minutes to play, Catawba had a break-away, but the USC Aiken defense was up to the challenge. Valenti dove to his right, stopping what would have been the winning score. Ofoje's team tried to counter in the waning seconds, but the clock struck 0:00, forcing the extra period.
In the second overtime period, Ofoje's team had a corner kick. The well-played pass was headed toward the frame. However, Catawba was able to clear the ball. The Indians countered and went the length of the pitch, scoring the game-winning tally with a shot in the lower left of the goal.
For the match, Catawba held an 18-15 edge in shots, including a 7-5 advantage on goal. Valenti registered six saves to five by the visitors.
Ofoje's squad tallied eight corner kicks in the match.
Kambel led the team with three shots, including two on goal. Johnson, Spiekermann and Wome all had shots on goal in the loss.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they host Mars Hill at 7 p.m.
