Gamecocks will not qualify for Conference USA tournament
Behind a superb effort from a banged-up defense, good goalkeeping and a penalty kick goal from Bradlee Baladez at the end of the first half, the South Carolina men’s soccer team picked up a win in its season finale at No. 25 Kentucky.
With the 1-0 victory, the Gamecocks finished their season 5-11-2 overall and 2-5-1 in Conference USA play. After Kentucky fouled Baladez in the box in the 44th minute, he netted a penalty kick, which turned out to be the game’s only goal.
The goal was his fourth of the season, which made him the Gamecocks’ leading scorer. Both he and defender Kevin Stam had three shots apiece in the match. Kentucky’s Matt Lodge has six attempts to lead the Wildcats.
Goalkeepers Robert Beebe and Alex Long combined for a shutout for South Carolina, with Beebe making one save in the first half and Long posting four saves in the second half.
Coach Mark Berson was proud of his team for being able to go on the road and get a victory, ending its season on a high note.
“I’m really proud of our guys”, he said. “They fought hard through a difficult year. This was a team that played in a number of very close games, one-goal games throughout the year, and they fought as hard as they could. And they deserve this today.”
He also praised his defense for rising to the occasion after some last-minute injuries and illnesses forced his back line to have to adjust on the fly for the final game.
“These guys really had to adjust today. (J.P.) Rafferty had strep throat. (Trevor) Hubbard didn’t make the trip because he was sick,” he said. “Kevin Stam played unbelievably well as the center back, and he was sick ... he basically didn’t eat all weekend. Eric Martinez pulled his groin so he was not able to play, and Moe Kaba came on and subbed for him... We really had to patch together a lot of things in the back line, and the guys played with great ability, great determination, and the goalkeepers were outstanding. To go on the road at this point in the season and come out with a win against a great Kentucky team is a really good accomplishment.”
Baladez, who will again be a top scoring threat next season for the Gamecocks as he returns for his senior year, also was happy to end what he hoped would have been a better season on a positive note.
“We ended our season on a good note. It was kind of tough season, but we’ll keep ourselves running and take pride in our goal for next year to get better as a team and keep fighting,” he said. “Next year we definitely want a better season than this year. We want to go to conference (tournament) and maybe make another championship run.”
The Gamecocks’ record means they will fall short of making the Conference USA tournament this season.