Catchy Title Options Too Numerous....

BROWN 1-0 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

As always, the showpiece event in the college soccer calendar in Rhode Island is the annual Brown Classic. This year was no exception as the perennial powerhouse University of South Carolina from the SEC visited our lovely little state. The atmosphere inside Stevenson was electric with a packed house witnessing a hard-fought and exciting match of college soccer.... The matinee for this match had been an uninspiring battle between Hofstra and Yale, so entertainment was needed!
We expected a physical battle and certainly got one from the Gamecocks. Tackles were tasty, and these southern visitors certainly felt compelled to make sure that our boys felt the full force of their "style" of play...
The first-half was a tight affair with neither side really taking control of the game. A few chances came and went for both teams, but both defences and goalkeepers stood firm. It would be fair to say that a couple of the visiting Gamecocks were fortunate not to be more harshly punished for indiscretions that led to both Sean and T-Mac getting some nasty blows in the face.
But, it was the second-half that really stood out in this outstanding match. After about ten minutes Laughlin released the well-rested attacking cavalry for the Bears, and it was a siege on the visitors goal for about twenty minutes. Oki was at his best, running at will into the spaces behind the home defence, while Austin and Sean's movement caused havoc. With support from a dynamic midfield performance by Evan and Rob it seemed a matter of time before these Gamecocks were put to the sword. Two wonder saves from their 'keeper kept the scores even, and on a rare excursion into home territory Grandstrand was equal to the task to dive full length to deflect away a powerful shot from 25 yards....
Inevitably it was another powerful run from Okafor that set up the winning goal with just eight minutes left in the match. His teasing cross to the back post was supremely guided on the volley by TMac across goal and there was Sean to gleefully head home from four yards out. Cue pandemonium on the sideline as Gimpy Sam was mobbed by his teammates in celebration. As the visitors pressed for an equalizer, counter-attack opportunities became more prevalent and it was from one of these that Oki was crudely chopped from behind when clean through on goal. EVERY person on the field stopped to prepare for the free-kick and inevitable red-card, everyone except the referee that is, who had apparently not seen the incident..... bizarre! Despite some busy moments for the home defence in the closing stages, the Gamecocks couldn't muster a worthwhile effort on goal and were left dejected and defeated. As Laughlin said in the moments after the game "that's what Brown Men's Soccer is all about."