USC Starts C-USA Play With Win At UAB

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (USC SID) — South Carolina (3-2-1, 1-0 C-USA) picked up a 1-0 win in its Conference USA opener at UAB (3-4, 0-1 C-USA) on Friday night at West Campus Field, with redshirt senior Asa Kryst‘s first goal of the season providing the winning margin. Kryst received a pass inside the six and shot it past the Blazer goalkeeper for the 55th-minute goal. Junior Koty Millard received the cross from senior Ryan Arambula on the right wing and found Kryst with the pass that set up the goal. UAB had a great chance in the 78th minute, but Rami Dajani‘s shot hit the left post and bounced away. Game Changer: The lone goal by Kryst gave the Gamecocks their first win of the season on the road. Key Stat: Sophomore William Pyle posted a clean sheet in his first start as a Gamecock, stopping six shots. Notables: “¢ Six different Gamecocks had shots on the night, with Kryst‘s goal the only one on frame. “¢ Joining Pyle as a first-time starter in the Garnet and Black was junior Matt McManis. “¢ Seven Gamecocks played the full 90: Pyle, McManis, Peyton Ericson, Ive Burnett, Koty Millard, Danny Deakin and Kurtis Turner. “¢ Freddy Ruiz took five of UAB‘s 11 shots, putting three on goal. “¢ The Gamecocks have now taken five of their last six Conference USA road matches dating back to 2013. “¢ South Carolina improves to 11-5-1 all-time against UAB and 5-1 at West Campus Field. Up Next: The Gamecocks host two matches next week against teams currently ranked in the NSCAA coaches poll, starting with a Tuesday night showdown against No. 20 Elon at 7 p.m.