AIKEN, S.C. -- Three first-half goals by USC Aiken proved costly
as No. 13 Anderson dropped a 3-2 decision to the Pacers in
non-conference men's soccer action Thursday night at the Pacer Pit.
Anderson, which fell to 12-2-2 on the season, had its unbeaten
streak snapped at seven matches, while USC Aiken won its third
straight and improved to 7-10-1. USC Aiken got on the scoreboard
first, when junior Troy Watson played a through ball from Amr
Hailat that he took control of and then slipped past AU goalkeeper
Benjamin Pepion into the bottom right corner of the net at the
16:37 mark. The Trojans evened the match in the 30th-minute on a
give-and-go in the box that concluded with senior Paulo Passini
getting just enough power on the ball to get it past USC Aiken
netminder Andray Charles. The goal was the team-leading 14th of the
season for Passini, with sophomore Scott Clapperton collecting his
first assist of the season on the play. Unfortunately for the
Trojans, USC Aiken sophomore Amr Hailat answered for the Pacers
less than a minute later as he headed in Watson's corner to give
USCA the 2-1 lead with just under 15 minutes left in the first
stanza. And with time winding down in the first half, USC Aiken
sophomore Kennis Paul scored what turned out to be the game-winner
with just six seconds on the clock. The Trojans Kevin Butler had
taken a corner kick and with AU up close, the Pacers were able to
quickly counterattack. Anderson sophomore Lasse Sohrweide scored
the final tally of the evening at the 54:55 mark off Passini's
assist, pulling the Trojans to within one, but neither squad was
able to find the net through the remainder of the contest. The
Trojans outshot USC Aiken 24-11, including a 15-6 advantage in the
second frame, and held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks. "We had a tough
week on the road last week," said Anderson head coach Rob Miller.
"And I think we lost a little of our focus today. We played much
better in the second half but we just have to regroup and get ready
for conference play." It was the regular-season finale for the
Pacers, who are will next play in the opening round of the 2009 PBC
Men's Soccer Tournament. Anderson wraps up the regular season on
Saturday when the Trojans visit Mount Olive with kick-off slated
for 4 p.m. in the second contest of a women's - men's doubleheader
at Amon Field. AU is assured of at least the fourth seed in next
week's Conference Carolinas' tournament and could possibly claim
the third seed, depending on Saturday's action. The Trojans will
host a quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday night at the AU Soccer
Field. Game
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