First Half Blast Elevates Owls Past Gamecocks

Saturday, March 27

Boca Raton, Fla.

Noon

Florida Atlantic

-522 220 CUSA

South Carolina

-661 031 CUSA

South Carolina

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: Michelle Friswell

3/27/2021 3:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (5-2-2, 2-2-0 in Conference USA) picked up its second consecutive conference win by defeating South Carolina (6-6-1, 0-3-1 C-USA), 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Ivan Mykhailenko tallied the Owls' two goals, both in the first half, and the team held their own late in the second frame to stop the Gamecocks from finding the equalizer.

How It Was Decided

Just 1:41 ticked off the clock before Mykhailenko buried his first goal of the game. As the South Carolina goalkeeper kicked the ball out to one of his players, Mykhailenko swooped in to take a shot, which got away from the keeper. The Owls' took a 1-0 lead at the second minute, but had more offensive power left in the tank. At the 21st minute, Tom Abrahmsson found Mykhailenko who captured his second goal of the match. The Owls took a 2-0 lead into halftime, outshooting the Gamecocks, 10-2.

Mykhailenko came close to a hat trick with a header, but the ball was saved by the keeper. South Carolina would then find its power on offense, taking four shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Gamecocks then capitalized on an opportunity at the 61st minute off a Brian Banahan goal to half the Owls' lead. South Carolina tried to take advantage of good looks to tie the game at the 90th minute, but the Owls made it difficult for the Gamecocks to execute that plan. The Gamecocks outshot the Owls in the second half, 9-3, in what was a clean game with no yellow cards. FAU prevailed over South Carolina, 2-1.

Of Note

Mykhailenko matched his career high in goals with two and set a new career-high five shots on goal. The striker now has four goals for eight points, which leads the squad
Abrahamsson logged his first point of the year off an assist. He has two career assists
The Owls outshot the Gamecocks, 13-11, and recorded the edge in shots on goal, 7-2
Neil Strauber registered a save, while allowing just one goal
Strauber, Graeme Pratt, Alonso Coello Camarero and Vasilis Spinos played all 90 match minutes
The Owls have now won three out of the last four matches against the Gamecocks

From Coach Worthen

On earning another C-USA win:
"It's great, I think it says a lot about the guys to get two back-to-back wins in the conference," said head coach Joey Worthen. "We scored two early goals, which I think set the tempo for the game. I think just overall they played really well. I'm a little disappointed we were under in the second half, but South Carolina is good and they put us under a little bit, but the guys did a great job to not break and make sure we got the win."

On Mykhailenko's day:
"I'm really happy for Ivan [Mykhailenko]. This is something we have been working on and for him to be able to find goals is what we have trained on all week and he did a great job. He had an individual effort on the first one and buried it. The second one was a really good team goal that was the build we have been training, and for him to stick it was great."

On playing his alma matter:
"Honestly it's another game. They are a good opponent that we prepare for. We are both two teams competing for points in the conference, so I try to just take that emotion out of it and focus on the game just like any other."

Up Next

The Owls will take on a tough road test at Marshall on Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. FAU will be back at FAU Soccer Stadium for the regular season finale against UAB on Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.

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