Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. - - Belmont University men's soccer stood toe to toe with one of the nation's best programs, but a last-minute tally provided South Carolina a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
The Bruins were largely carried by the spectacular play of sophomore goalkeeper Grayson Rector (Peachtree City, Ga.), who made a number of dazzling saves to keep a clean sheet.
In the 20th minute, South Carolina's Jeffrey Torda had the first real chance of the match, but his whirling bicycle kick was denied by Rector.
10 minutes later, Belmont forged a strong attack, but senior Diego Figueroa (Pensacola, Fla.) would narrowly miss the frame.
Figueroa would again challenge in the 37th minute, but Gamecock keeper Marco Velez would not be tested.
In the second half, South Carolina's touted defender Mahamoudou Kaba would push forward on a corner kick, and his left-footed blast would sail over the crossbar.
Then in the 60th minute, Belmont got a golden opportunity when sophomore AJ Arnold (Jackson, Miss.) freed himself just 10 yards from goal, but he could not get square contact on net.
The Bruins maintained their poise, as the long day into night drew some emotional play and curious fouls.
In the 76th minute, senior Luca Schioppa (Sao Paulo, Brazil) whipped a strong cross far post, however freshman Matt Vuylsteke (Hamilton, Ont, Canada) could not find the target.
In the final minute, defenders Nat Hubert (Chichester, England) and Tyler Vieth (Evansville, Ind.) nearly connected on an overlapping run, but it enabled the Gamecocks to have one final push.
In fact, with time winding down under 10 seconds and South Carolina speeding to attempt a corner kick, Rector would ultimately make an acrobatic save to deny Braeden Troyer and force overtime.
The Bruins nearly won it late in the first extra frame, as Vieth sent a low cross in towards freshman Rashad Hyacenth (D'Abadie, Trinidad & Tobago), but the left-footed redirect just missed wide.
In the 103rd minute, Ryan Arambula sent a knuckling cross in the box that corkscrewed towards net at the last minute and bounded off the far post.
Then after Rector made another diving save moments later, South Carolina broke Belmont's heart, as Kurtis Turner gathered a loose ball outside the box and placed a shot just past the outstretched arms of the Belmont keeper.
Belmont (0-1) returns to action Sunday, Aug. 31 at Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT on SEC Network + and the WatchESPN app.
