The University of South Carolina's men's club hockey team saw its 2024-25 season end in heartbreak after losing a playoff game on a controversial goal call.
The club dropped an elimination game to Farmingdale in overtime on a goal that never entered the net but was still called a goal by the officials.
"That was definitely one of the toughest pills to swallow," fourth-year operations and supply chain student Nick Kaye said. "We had a lot of seniors on our team, and to have some careers ended on a
messed-up call like that, it stung because we did everything in our power. We did everything the right way."
Although the team qualified for the national tournament, the road wasn't easy. It lost a pair of games to Tennessee and one to Tampa early in the season.
"We didn't have as successful of a season in the middle of it," Kaye said. "We were losing games to teams that we would definitely prefer to beat. Obviously, some of our closest rivals were getting the best of us for a little bit."
The club broke new ground on Nov. 23 when it played its first-ever outdoor hockey game against NC State at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Gamecocks defeated the Wolfpack 6-2 in front of a record crowd.
"The outdoor game against NC State was one of the best three-period games we put together all year," fourth-year hospitality management student Tommy Lokken said. "Especially in front of 5,000 people seeing us play at the top of our game. It really showed that we can compete with anyone in the country."
The Gamecocks returned from winter break to defeat Boston College 5-3 in the club's first game of 2025. The win helped the club gain momentum heading to its regional tournament, the College Hockey South Division 1 Playoffs.
"We started to find our identity after the New Year," Lokken said. "We got hot at the right time. In the national tournament, I thought we put forth a pretty great effort."
South Carolina beat Georgia 5-1 in the semifinals of the regional tournament but lost to Tampa in the championship 5-3. Kaye said the win over the Bulldogs was one of the club's most complete performances of the season.
"Every single guy that was playing in that game showed up and did their job," Kaye said. "It was just really cool to see because once we decided ourselves that we wanted to turn on and play, we could play."
South Carolina closed the regular season with a pair of big victories, defeating Georgia 2-1 and rival Clemson 8-4. The wins helped the Gamecocks qualify for the 2025 AAU National Championship Tournament. Third-year economics student Carson Skove said the wins proved the club was ready for nationals.
"After winning that game, we thought we really had momentum, and we did," Skove said. "It just didn't play out in our favor, but those two games really meant a lot to us and helped us keep going."
The win over Clemson was the final home game for the senior class. Lokken said it meant even more to the seniors, as they finished their careers with a perfect record against the Tigers.
"That game was super special, especially with it being senior night," Kaye said. "It was all of our last home games in that rink. To do it in a game like that against Clemson, where not only all the guys are fired up to play, but you can feel the energy from the fans that are there."
South Carolina entered the national tournament looking to defend its 2024 national championship. The Gamecocks beat Alabama in game one of pool play but dropped a pair of one-goal overtime defeats to Delaware and Farmingdale, ending the club's season.
The loss was a tough ending for the nine-man senior class. Lokken said the senior class started a winning tradition in the club by qualifying for national tournaments and winning the program's first national championship. The group built lifelong friendships along the way and plans to stay connected after graduating.
"It's really nice to still have that connection off the ice with them," Skove said. "Being there, hanging out, going out together and just having fun. It really is going to be something that I miss the most next year."
The class frequently roomed together while traveling to away games and hosted fun activities, which made the players feel more connected with one another.
"It let to lots of chemistry build between all of us," Lokken said. "I think that coordinated to our on-ice success. More importantly, I think we were able to form a tight-knit bond and friendship off the ice."
The players performed in front of impressive crowds at home all season, as every home game at Flight Adventure Park in Irmo was sold out, according to Kaye. The seniors hope the growing support for the club can make hockey a staple in Columbia, similar to football or women's basketball.
"The support that we received — selling out all our home games — it's incredible," Kaye said. "It's something that's so unique that I don't think many people realize. Not only just for the school but for the players playing, being able to play in front of a crowd that cares so much and genuinely supports you."
Kaye said he hopes the seniors are remembered not just for winning — but for doing things the right way.
"We're all really close friends," Kaye said."It meant everything — being able to share this last experience of being on a team with the guys we had in that locker room because we had a really good group of guys. We all gelled really well, and it was always a good time being there."