ROCK HILL, S.C. – The sixth-ranked Coastal Carolina men’s soccer team rolled to yet another victory after dismissing Winthrop, 3-1, on Wednesday night at Eagle Field in Rock Hill, S.C.

The Chanticleers extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches and improve to 10-2-0 overall and a perfect 5-0-0 in Big South Conference after playing at full intensity against the Eagles, who drop to 7-4-1 (1-3-0 Big South) on the season.

Winthrop scored the game’s opening goal in the 19th minute off the foot of Achille Obougou. After receiving a through ball inside the 18-yard box, Obougou took a touch to his left then turned and fired his shot into the far side netting. The goal was first surrendered by Chants in 198-plus minutes of play and marked the first time the Chants trailed in seven games.

Coastal leveled the score in the 32nd minute as Ricky Garbanzo, a native of Rock Hill, S.C., scored his sixth marker of the season. Pedro Ribeiro tracked down a ball in the left corner and placed a low-lying cross parallel to the endline. Garbanzo made a run across the goal mouth and flicked the ball with the side of his plant foot up over the keeper and into the center of the net. The assist was Ribeiro second of the season.

The Chants looked as though they would find the go-ahead goal in the 40th minute as Matt Risher was sprung loose behind the Winthrop backline. Risher drove toward the goal as Winthrop’s Guilherme Avelar advanced out of his net. Risher attempted a high-shot; however, Avelar elevated and headed the ball out of play to make the save.

Coastal started the second stanza on the attack and notched a pair of quick shots in the first minute. Ribeiro had a good look at the goal, but Winthrop’s Fabian Broich, who was inserted in goal at the half, was there to make a diving save. Garbanzo retrieved the rebound and clanged his attempt off the near post.

The black and teal-clad Chanticleers continued their offensive attack over the ensuing 15 minutes, racking up 11 total shots, including six on goal.

Agust Arnarson found the eventual game-winner in the 74th minute, capitalizing on Coastal’s second-half offensive onslaught. Arnarson received a centered ball from Joel Perez 14-yards out, and fired a low shot just beyond the outstretched arms of Winthrop’s Broich. The goal marked the second of Arnarson’s collegiate career, while the assist was Perez’s first point of the campaign.

Jakub Stourac added an insurance goal 3:07 later at the 76:17 mark to give the Chants a 3-1 margin on the scoreboard. Stourac received the ball in space from Kevin Le Bras, and then dribbled to the middle of the field to unleash his scoring blast. Stourac’s score was his second of the season and fifth of his Coastal career.

Coastal Carolina finished the game with a 25-13 advantage in shots, including a 12-4 edge in shots on goal. The Chants also earned nine corner kicks to Winthrop’s none.

CCU’s Devin Cook earned the win with a three save performance to improve his season record to 9-2-0. Winthrop’s Broich (0-1-0) took the loss after allowing two second-half goals.

Looking ahead, the Chanticleers return to the CCU Soccer Field for a Big South clash against Radford on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Chanticleers own a 16-12-3 all-time advantage against the Highlanders, including 4-1 wins in each of the past two series meetings.

Winthrop plays at High Point on Saturday in its next time out.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Hornets Add 7 on National Signing Day