CENTRAL, S.C. – The USCA men's soccer team lost a 4-0 decision at Southern Wesleyan Thursday evening in the season-opening match for both teams.
The Pacers are now 0-1 on the season while the Warriors stand at 1-0.
Head coach
Nick Sakiewicz's team took the first shot of the match. Just 90 seconds into the contest,
Alvaro Corcuera's attempt was blocked. Four minutes later,
Emilio Roman placed a shot on frame. However, it was saved.
Abdoulie Jallow's shot sailed high of the frame in the 18
th minute of action. The Warriors countered and placed two shots on frame moments later, but
Dikola Douglas was up to the task each time.
Trailing 1-0 in the 35
th minute,
Kei Ishikawa's shot was blocked.
Riad Zitouni missed high at the 37:21 mark as did
William Poirier a few moments later and the score remained the same at intermission.
After a foul in the box, SWU converted a penalty kick for a two-goal margin in the 61
st minute of action. Jallow tried to pull the team within one four minutes later, but his shot missed to the right of the frame. In the 66
th minute,
Murilo Carli's attempt sailed high. Zitouni pushed forward at the 72:16 mark with a shot, but it missed the mark.
Sakiewicz's squad registered three more attempts in the contest, but only
Daniel Dalehaug's was on goal. Dalehaug placed a shot to the lower left of the frame, which was stopped by the keeper. Corcuera and
Aloniab Elfu also had shots in the waning moments.
For the match, USCA held a 12-9 edge in shots. The Pacers placed three shots on frame and earned three corner kicks. Corcuera, Jallow and Zitouni had two shots apiece. Elfu, Ishikawa, Roman, Dalehaug, Poirier and Carli also posted shots. Dalehaug, Poirier and Roman had shots on frame.
Between the pipes, Douglas played all 90 minutes and had two saves.
The Pacers return to action Tuesday when they host Erskine at the new soccer stadium starting at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
