The University of Tennessee’s men’s soccer team faced off against the No. 22 ranked South Carolina team in a thrilling match that ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday night. The game took place at Charlotte Sports Park in Punta Gorda, Florida as part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament.
Tennessee’s David Amankwa scored the first goal of the game in the 63rd minute, giving the Volunteers a 1-0 lead. However, South Carolina equalized in the 85th minute with a goal from Luca Mayr.
The match took an unexpected turn in the 88th minute when Tennessee was awarded a controversial penalty. South Carolina players and fans protested the decision, claiming the foul occurred outside of the penalty box. However, Tennessee’s Luke Chiavetta converted the penalty to put the Volunteers ahead 2-1.
Just when it seemed like Tennessee would secure the victory, South Carolina’s Thomas Hilutun equalized once again with a header in the final minute of stoppage time. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with both teams taking home one point from the match.
Despite the disappointment of losing a late lead, Tennessee head coach Brian Pensky remained proud of his team’s performance. He praised their resilience and effort throughout the game, acknowledging the challenge of facing a top-ranked opponent like South Carolina.
The draw left both teams with a record of 1-1-1 in the SEC tournament, with the Volunteers currently sitting in sixth place in the standings. Tennessee will look to bounce back in their next match against Mississippi State as they continue their pursuit of a conference title.
Overall, the match between Tennessee and South Carolina was an exciting and hard-fought battle that showcased the talent and determination of both teams.
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