Coming off of two straight away games, the men’s soccer team looks to end its three-game skid Tuesday as it returns home for a four-game home stand as they take on UNC Greensboro (0-6-1).
After starting off the season 3-0, the team's best start since 2004 when they won their first four matches, the Gamecocks have dropped their last three matches.
Although his team has been slumping lately, head coach Mark Berson still believes in its capabilities, and has a positive outlook moving forward on the season.
“We came out of these matches with a lot of good coaching points, a lot of good teaching points,” he said. “We need to put the pieces together, and fortunately none of the losses were conference losses. They were disappointing, but we learn and we move on. It’s a balance. You need to learn, but you need to put it in the rearview mirror and get moving. I think we’re good. The team’s in a good state, and we’re ready to roll.”
As the only head coach in South Carolina’s men soccer history, Berson is one of four coaches in NCAA Division I history with 450 wins with a single program. A win on Tuesday night will tie him with former SMU coach Schellas Hyndman for seventh on the NCAA Division I wins list and 18th across all divisions.
Injuries have been a problem for the Gamecocks this season, notably senior forward/midfielder Asa Kryst, which could be part of the cause for the team’s current losing streak.
“Asa got off to a great start, but came off the field with a groin injury during the Clemson game, which is just now starting to get a little bit better. Hopefully we can have him back this week,” he said. “Other than that, we’re coming along pretty well. The guys are doing pretty well, and I’m pleased with that. It’s difficult because you really want to get everybody out there and ready to go. Hopefully we can get Asa ready, and that will be a big boost for us in the attack.”
Other players who have missed time this season due to injury have been junior forward Wesley Eads, junior forward/midfielder Devin L’Amoreaux, and senior goalkeeper Robert Beebe, who has missed every match since early 2013 after sustaining an arm injury.
The game Tuesday night will be South Carolina’s final nonconference tune-up game before they kick off Conference-USA play. Their first conference match of the season is this Friday against Marshall.
Despite being winless on the season, Tuesday's opponent in UNC Greensboro has outshot its opponents 98-85, and has been shut out four times already. All four of the team’s goals have come during the second half of play.
Tuesday marks the first meeting between the two schools since 1985, in which the Gamecocks claimed victory.