Gamecock soccer responds in a big way, beats PC 4-2

Midfielder CJ Mitchell-Smith and Forward Brian Banahan helped send Gamecock fans home happy as they both scored two goals in USC’s 4-2 victory over Presbyterian College Tuesday night.

“A couple of young guys, Brian and CJ, came through for us, it was a great lift for our team,” head coach Mark Berson said.

Mitchell-Smith’s 63^rd minute goal proved to be the game-winner for USC against the Blue Hose. 

“It’s a confidence booster, I haven’t scored yet,” Mitchell-Smith said. “Going through the first couple of games with no goals kind of brings me down, but I was able to score today and show that to my team and I want to be a reliable player when it comes to games like this.”

The Gamecocks got out to an early lead in the first half, scoring a goal in the 11^th minute and then again in the 38^th minute.  They held that lead into halftime, but would find trouble as PC stunned the Gamecocks early in the second half, scoring two goals in the span of two minutes in the 50^th and 52^nd minutes of the game.

“Yeah, we don’t want to give up two goals,” Berson said. “We don’t want to be in that position, but the important thing is sometimes you’re there, and what do you do with it? And tonight, they answered the call and I’m really proud of them.”

Berson said that the team’s ability to stay motivated and secure the win was the story of the night.

“Every time we do something like that, that’s another positive step in the direction of the development of this team,” Berson said.

With their gritty performance Tuesday night, Gamecock soccer remains undefeated at home this season.  Though Stone Stadium wasn’t full Tuesday, fans of both teams were very loud. 

“They have great pride in playing at home,” Berson said. “We’re more comfortable playing at home, it’s a young team, so they’re more comfortable playing in their own environment.”

The Gamecocks move to 5-4 on the season with the victory over PC and will face conference foe Old Dominion Saturday as they search for their first Conference-USA win of the season. 

Berson said the Gamecocks are preparing for a game with Old Dominion that could be back and forth, and the team’s ability to keep fighting for wins will be a key factor in Saturday’s game.  The game will be the second of three straight home games for South Carolina and will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday in Stone Stadium.