COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 15, 2024) – Despite seeing South Carolina go a man down in the opening minutes of the contest, the ETSU men's soccer team still couldn't slow down the high-powered Gamecock offense, as the Buccaneers dropped a 2-0 decision to USC on Sunday night at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium.
 
South Carolina registered goals in both halves and handed the Blue & Gold their second straight shutout. With the loss, ETSU dropped to 1-4-2, while the Gamecocks remailed unbeaten at 4-0-2.
 
In the opening five minutes of the contest, former Buccaneer Sebastian Reventlow-Mourier was sent off the field after a sliding tackle on Henrique Cruz forced the Buccaneer to be carted off  with a leg injury.
 
Unfortunately, with the Gamecocks playing a man down, South Carolina registered its 18th and 19th goals of the season. Ethan Ballek netted the eventual game-winner in the 23rd minute, while Ronnie McGrath and Kiernan Karp assisted on Martin Yahia's goal in the 48th minute.
 
ETSU outshot South Carolina, 12-4, while putting five shots on target; however, the Bucs' scoreless streak has hit five straight halves. Gabriel Ramos and Shewit Worton both took three shots with Ramos' attempt in the 31st minute firing off the right post. Worton recorded the first shot of the night, but Gamecock keeper Filip Versterre came up with a save. In the closing minutes of the first half, Gabriel Betancourt tested the USC keeper on a header, while Hubert Deragon – who had two shots in the game – sent one to the upper right corner but was saved by Versterre.
 
ETSU had two shots on goal in the final 45 minutes with Deragon putting one on target in the 72nd minute and Jimmy Choi just missing in the 87th.
 
The Bucs had four corners to USC's one, while the Gamecocks committed 10 fouls to ETSU's eight.
 
ETSU returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 24 when the Bucs play at UNC Asheville.
 
For more information on Buccaneer men's soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's soccer tab.