COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina forward Mike Lindsey netted two goals, highlighted by the game-winner in the 94th minute, to lead the host Gamecocks to a 2-1 overtime win over the Kentucky men?s soccer team, in front of 827 fans at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium.
Lindsey took a feed from Mark Wiltse and delivered the game winner just four minutes into overtime, giving USC a crucial win during the final regular season weekend of competition. Kentucky now turns its attention towards the Conference USA Tournament, beginning Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala. The loss solidifies a third-place finish in the conference and a third-seed in the tournament, behind only No. 5 SMU and No. 7 Tulsa.
South Carolina (10-2-2, 4-2-2 C-USA) now boosts an all-time 4-1-1 series advantage over UK, with the Wildcats lone win in the series coming last season in Lexington, when Kentucky upset the then sixth-ranked Gamecocks 1-0 in overtime.
In the 42nd minute after a nearly scoreless first period of play, Lindsey took a long ball at the corner from Brennan Williams and beat the defender one-on-one, netting the first goal of the contest. The goal marked Lindsey?s first goal of the season.
UK got even just nine minutes into the second half, as freshman forward Luke Maitland took a ball from junior midfielder Brad Frederick and netted the first goal of his young career. The assist was Frederick?s second of the season.
Kentucky (7-9-2, 5-3 C-USA) keeper Dan Williams posted two saves in the game and the Wildcats forced South Carolina?s goalkeeper, Jimmy Mauer, to make five saves in the contest. USC took the advantage in shots (13-7) and corner kicks (7-2), including five corner alone in the second half for the Gamecocks. Of Mauer?s five saves, UK forced the keeper to make four in the second half, as UK turned up the offensive pressure.
UK was without several key players in the game, as leading scorer and defensive leader Barry Rice and midfield mainstay and C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Nathan Marks both missed the contest due to caution accumulation. The game was the first one missed all season for Rice, who hadn?t missed a contest in his collegiate career, starting 38 consecutive games.
The Wildcats got shots on goal from several players in the game, including two freshmen, C.J. Tappel, one of the hero?s in the UK 2-1 upset win over No. 1 SMU on Saturday, and Patrick Conyea. Defender Matt Weiler attempted an effort on goal and Frederick also contributed a shot on goal.
