The guys followed their mid-week victory over USL PRO league team Charlotte Eagles with a 4-1 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks (who finished the 2010 season ranked No. 12 in the nation) on Saturday, March 19. It was a hot affair, with temperatures reaching close to 80 degrees for the first time this spring. Although only having three field players to rotate in throughout the game due to injuries in the squad and one player abroad for the entire semester, the Wildcats were able to hold on to the 4-goal lead built through the first 60 minutes.
It took the first quarter of the game for the Wildcats to find their rhythm, but not long after that the goals poured in. Davidson found the back of the net three times in ten minutes to build a 3-0 halftime lead. First, Greg Macnamara converted a penalty that was drawn by some neat footwork by midfielder Peter Paras. Minutes after, Dennis Shannon provided a 40-yard ball deep in the box for streaking Andrew DiLallo, who headed it off the back post and in. Even goalie Chip Sanders got involved in the scoring. His goal kick was flicked on by Andrew DiLallo and finished on a break away by forward Thomas Zimmerman.
The Gamecocks came out in the second half with a raised intensity, but the Wildcats handled it with confidence and extended their lead to four within the first 10 minutes. Quick combinations and fluid movement opened up a seam for Brian McGue to run onto a beautifully clipped ball from defender Hunter Hayes. McGue cooly headed it over the goalie to ease any worries about a comeback. The Gamecocks were able to pull a goal back in the last ten minutes, but it was too little too late.
Final Score: Davidson 4 – South Carolina 1
Goals (Assists)
· 27’ Greg Macnamara (PK)
· 34’ Andrew DiLallo (Dennis Shannon)
· 37’ Thomas Zimmerman (Andrew Dillalo)
· 55’ Brian McGue (Hunter Hayes)
| GK | Chip Sanders | |||
| D | Hunter Hayes | Greg Macnamara | Coleman O'Neill | Dennis Shannon |
| MF | Garrett Bostwick | Alex Givens | Brian McGue | Peter Paras |
| F | Thomas Zimmerman | Jake Keator | ||
Contributing Substitutes
Andrew DiLallo, Chris Pettiglio, Nick Grube, Ben Gold.
- The Gamecocks were an NCAA tournament team from last season and reached the final 16 before going out to Michigan.
- Greg Macnamara and Brian McGue both scored for the second time in a week to boost the Cats
- Fast fact: The last time Davidson and USC met (Fall of 2009), the result was the same with Davidson winning 4-1.
Andrew DiLallo came on with 20 minutes to play in the first half and contributed to both the second and third goals, scoring the second and assisting on the third. The Wildcats were up 3-0 at halftime.
Head Coach Matt Spear’s thoughts:
“It was a big, big win because it was on the road against a team that had won their conference tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 in this past fall’s NCAA Tournament… We told the team that USC was of course to come out with a renewed vigor after halftime. But our guys responded well and killed the match off… Overall, it was a comfortable, confident win – and a confidence boost for sure.”
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