Men's Soccer | June 08, 2022
Throughout June, Pacer Athletics will feature a Top Moment for each sport from the 2021-22 academic year. The third Top Moment comes from the men's soccer program.
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team netted a pair of second-half goals en route to the 2-1 win at North Georgia Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers conclude the season 2-14 overall and 1-11 in league play. The Nighthawks fall to 3-8-1 overall and 6-10-1 in PBC play.
After a scoreless first half, head coach
Ike Ofoje's team broke through with a goal at the 49:32 mark when
Daniel Ailemen blasted a shot past the keeper for a 1-0 edge.
The Nighthawks knotted the contest 10 minutes later. However, Ofoje's squad continued to push forward in the offensive third of the pitch.
Maik Spiekermann's attempt in the 67
th minute sailed high of the frame. At the 76:54 mark,
Hippolyte Denis found
Fabian Avila for the score. Denis was credited with an assist on the play.
USC Aiken registered a shot on goal by
Mohamed Abdallah in the 85
th minute but he was turned away.
The Nighthawks attempted to knot the match at the 88:33 mark, but Benjamin Elgueta's shot missed high. Ofoje's team did not allow a shot on goal after the Pacers scored what turned out to be the match-winning goal.
Abdallah and Avila each had two shots in the contest.
Joey Valenti played the entire match between the pipes, tallying six saves. USC Aiken posted seven shots, including three on target.
The win over the Nighthawks snapped an eight-match losing streak in the series. Previously, the last victory over UNG came on Oct. 31, 2015 – a 5-1 victory. It also marked the first road win in the series since Oct. 27, 2012 (a 2-1 win by USC Aiken).
Top Moment: Men's Cross Country
Top Moment: Women's Soccer
