AIKEN, S.C. – Visiting North Georgia (8-9-1) enacted some
revenge on USC Aiken (7-10-2) Tuesday night at “Pacer
Pit,” rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit and scoring the
game-winner in the 90th minute to end the fourth-seeded Pacers
season 2-1 in the opening round of the Peach Belt Conference
men’s soccer tournament. The fifith-seeded Saints’ Stan
Soulen slipped a long shot through the hands of USCA keeper Aaron
Watkins with 37 seconds left to hand the hosts a tough loss.
USC Aiken had won three straight against North Georgia, including
back-to-back 2-1 double overtime victories. Last season in the PBC
Tournament opening round, the Pacers scored in the 102nd minute to
end the Saints’ season in heartbreaking fashion.
The Pacers looked poised to do the same early on in Tuesday’s
game, controlling the possession of the ball from the outset and
taking eight shots before their opponents attempted their first. In
the 31st minute, senior Adam Lambert beat North Georgia keeper
Brandon Kirksey to a free ball in the box and scored into an open
net for a 1-0 USC Aiken lead.
For Lambert, the goal was his first since scoring the Pacers’
first goal in last season’s PBC Tournament victory over North
Georgia. The Aiken, S.C., native ends his career having scored five
goals and dishing out five assists.
Despite outshooting the Saints 9-1 in the opening 45 minutes, the
Pacers were only able to get the one shot on goal and went to the
half leading 1-0.
The hosts threatened early on in the second half to score an
insurance goal, but their numerous chances went by the wayside. The
best opportunity came from junior Kofi Akyere, who came just inches
away from a highlight reel goal when his bicycle kick in the box
glanced off the crossbar and out of play. Shortly after, Akyere and
Reuben Ojeyinka each had a breakaway towards the goal, but both
were tackled in the box and lost possession of the ball.
While the Pacers had their chances early on in the period, it was
also clear that North Georgia came out of halftime with a newfound
energy. After getting only one shot in the first half, the Saints
took four in the first 10 minutes of the second, including three
that were saved by Watkins.
The game remained 1-0 until the 77th minute, when Jorrell Elie
scored from in close after getting a great free kick into the box
by Bradley Rose. The game-tying marker was Elie’s second of
the season.
With the game seemingly headed to overtime with under a minute to
play, Rose played a pass just past midfield to Soulen on the right
side of the field. Soulen took a couple of dribbles before serving
the ball into the box. With Watkins about to snatch the ball up, it
took a tough hop and slipped through the sophomore’s hands
for the game-winner.
For the contest, USC Aiken outshot North Georgia 18-11, but just
two of the Pacers’ shots were on goal compared to eight for
the Saints. Watkins, playing in place of USCA injured senior Leonel
Medina, made five saves in goal for the Pacers. Kirksey made just
one save for the Saints.
USC Aiken ends the season with a 7-10-2 record overall including a
4-2-0 PBC mark. Despite losing their last two home games, USCA
finished 6-2-0 at “Pacer Pit” and is 13-4-1 on their
home field over the past two seasons.
Head coach Ike Ofoje’s squad will lose eight seniors, but
returns a strong nucleus including Akyere, who led the team and was
second in the PBC with 12 goals, Ojeyinka, and Costanzo.
North Georgia moves on to Friday’s semifinals in Morrow, Ga.,
where they will meet the host and top seed, Clayton State, at 7:00
PM.
Men’s Soccer Game Summary
North Georgia vs USC Aiken (Oct 30, 2007 at Aiken, S.C.)
North Georgia (8-9-1) vs. USC Aiken (7-9-2)
Date: Oct 30, 2007 Attendance: 204
Weather: partly cloudy, 67 degrees
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
North Georgia....... 0 2 - 2
USC Aiken............. 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 30:03 USCA Lambert, Adam (1) (Sheldon, Josh) - beat keeper to
free ball; shot to open net
2. 76:58 NGCSU Elie, Jorrell (2) (Rose, Bradley) - free kick into
box; shot in close
3. 89:23 NGCSU Soulen, Stan (1) (Rose, Bradley) - shot from deep
misplayed by keeper
Shots: North Georgia 11, USC Aiken 18
Saves: North Georgia 1 (Kirksey, Brandon 1), USC Aiken 6 (Watkins,
Aaron 5; TEAM 1)
Corner Kicks: North Georgia 2, USC Aiken 5
Offsides: North Georgia 4, USC Aiken 0
Fouls: North Georgia 20, USC Aiken 14
Cards: Ogbuke, Ikenna (YC, USCA) 25:58; Rose, Bradley (YC, NGCSU)
42:30; Usman, Kashetu (YC, USCA) 58:06; Elie, Jorrell (YC, NGCSU)
71:19; Davis, Clay (YC, NGCSU) 76:00; Mercer, Adam (YC, NGCSU)
85:07
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