DUE WEST, S.C.--USC Aiken men’s soccer team fought through penalties and solid defense in attempt to rally over the Flying Fleet of Erskine College Wednesday night. An unfortunate late red card put the team one man down and from then on the Pacers couldn’t overcome the one-goal deficit as the team falls to 2-9-2, 1-2-0 PBC.

USCA had the edge in the first half taking nine shots and holding Erskine to four, but both defenses held strong and did not allow any goals for the first 45 minutes. Each side was given a yellow card during the first half and the aggressive play followed the teams into the second.

At 54:24 in the game, Erskine’s Ed Joyce kicked a high ball from the far post to Kyle Bennett who headed the ball in giving the Fleet a 1-0 lead. USCA fought back and two minutes later tied the game after Emmanuel Maduka shot a close-net loose ball in past goalkeeper Drew Annas.

Erskine would see another yellow card before Joyce passed the ball to Simon Morris who would give Erskine a 2-1 edge and its game-winning goal.

The Pacers turned up on offense in an attempt to tie the game but emotions and aggression resulted in a yellow and red card with 10 minutes left in the game. Wacey Benjamin was ejected at 81:58, giving Erskine a man advantage and clinched the win for the Flying Fleet.

Maduka led the Pacer offense with six shots, three on goal and three Erskine players each had two shots for the Flying Fleet.

USC Aiken will head to Spartanburg, S.C. to take on D-II men’s soccer powerhouse #6 USC Upstate on Saturday, October 22, at 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Game Summary (Final)
USC Aiken (2-9-2) vs. Erskine (6-6-1)
Date: Oct 19, 2005 Attendance: 55
Weather: clear, 75 degrees

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
USC Aiken................0 1 - 1
Erskine.....................0 2 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 54:24 ERSKINE Kyle Bennett (Ed Joyce) - headed in from far post
2. 56:24 USCA Maduka, Emmanuel (6) (unassisted) - loose ball in front of net
3. 72:45 ERSKINE Simon Morris (Ed Joyce)
Shots: USC Aiken 14, Erskine 11
Saves: USC Aiken 3 (Rodriguez, Marcos 2; Tate, Harold 1), Erskine 5 (Drew Annas 5)
Corner kicks: ERSKINE 5, USCA 9
Offsides: ERSKINE 1, USCA 7
Cards: YC: ERSKINE Simon Morris (33:38); YC: USCA Kashetu Usman (38:51);
YC: ERSKINE Keith Clithero (69:00); YC: USCA Ryan Jackman (80:39);
RC: USCA Wacey Benjamin (81:58)

FULL BOXSCORE