AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern State University outshot the University of South Carolina Aiken and held the Pacers scoreless in the second half, but two first-half goals proved to be the difference in a 2-0 Peach Belt Conference men's soccer loss Saturday evening at Hurricane Field.
The Hurricanes (3-8-5, 0-6-5 PBC) finished with a 13-9 advantage in shots and a 6-5 edge in corner kicks, but were unable to overcome an early deficit against the Pacers (5-8-1, 4-7-1 PBC).
USC Aiken opened the scoring at 9:40 when Carlos Colomer found the back of the net off an assist from Melvin Maboungou to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
GSW nearly answered four minutes later when
Theo Hoang sent a shot off the crossbar in the 15th minute.
The Hurricanes continued to search for the equalizer as
Mac Vargas sent an attempt wide in the 24th minute before
Jose Monteagudo generated another opportunity in the 35th.
Bryan Garcia followed with a shot toward the bottom-right corner at 34:56, but USC Aiken goalkeeper Sean Simoncelli made the save.
GSW came close again in the 42nd minute when Hoang put a shot on frame, but the Pacers' defense cleared the attempt off the goal line to preserve the lead.
USC Aiken capitalized moments later when Abdoulie Jallow scored off an assist from Johan Morel at 42:44, doubling the Pacers' advantage just over two minutes before halftime.
The Hurricanes entered the break trailing 2-0 despite generating five shots, including two on goal.
GSW continued to press after halftime.
Ryan Burns had an attempt blocked in the 49th minute before Hoang forced Simoncelli into another save at 59:45.
The Pacers were reduced to 10 players in the 69th minute when William Poirier was sent off after receiving a red card.
Playing with a man advantage for the final 21 minutes, the Hurricanes increased their offensive pressure in search of a comeback.
Juan Franco sent an attempt wide in the 77th minute before
Will Eydam put a shot over the crossbar in the 80th.
GSW generated three shots in a span of 36 seconds in the 83rd and 84th minutes, with Monteagudo and
Mane Birovljev creating opportunities during a stretch that also produced consecutive corner kicks.
Vargas had one final opportunity in the closing seconds, but his attempt sailed high and wide as the Pacers held on for the shutout.
The Hurricanes outshot USC Aiken 8-3 in the second half and finished with a 13-9 advantage for the match. GSW also earned six corner kicks to the Pacers' five.
Hoang led the Hurricanes with three shots, including two on goal, while Monteagudo, Birovljev and Vargas recorded two attempts apiece.
Nathan Grady started in goal for GSW and made one save before
Adrian Bennetot entered in the 18th minute due to injury. Bennetot played the remaining 72:42 and recorded one save.
Simoncelli finished with two goalkeeper saves for USC Aiken, which also registered a team save.
Saturday's result marked the second time this season the Hurricanes were shut out by the Pacers, who kept GSW off the scoreboard in both Peach Belt Conference meetings.
Next Up
The Hurricanes travel to league-leading Flagler College on Monday to play a match rescheduled from earlier in the season. The regular season finale will take place at 5 p.m.
