George Washington University

Sept. 11, 2011

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - Sophomore Alex Sandland nodded in classmate Andrew Aluko's cross in the 39th minute and junior goalkeeper Alejandro Almodovar and the Colonials' defense posted their first shutout of the season as the George Washington men's soccer team defeated USC Upstate, 1-0, at the Coastal Carolina Invitational on Sunday.

Sandland tallied his first collegiate goal just seven minutes after entering as a substitute in the 32nd minute. He got on the end of fellow substitute Aluko's service and headed the ball into the left side of the goal past USC Upstate goalkeeper Jason McCabe at the 38:24 mark.

GW finished with a 12-3 shot advantage, including a 7-1 edge in the first half, but only needed Sandland's game-winner as the Colonials' defense held off the Spartans.

Almodovar made a pair of saves on equalizing attempts in the 84th and 87th minutes to post his first collegiate clean sheet and second career victory. Center backs Brice Carr and Matthew Scott played the full 90 minutes, while wing defenders Sandland, Jamie LaFleur and Abdul Shaban kept the Spartans' attack at bay.

Almodovar, Aluko and Carr were all recognized on the CCU All-Tournament Team following the completion of the event. Coastal Carolina edged VCU, 2-1, in double overtime to capture the tourney title late Sunday.

The victory is the first of the season for GW (1-2-1) and 192nd for head coach George Lidster, who will retire at the end of the season following 24 years with the program. USC Upstate falls to 2-3-0.

Saturday's match is the centerpiece for Soccer Alumni Weekend, which will also feature an alumni match from 10-11:30 a.m., at Mount Vernon, and an All Athletic Alumni Reception at Charles E. Smith Center at 3:30 p.m.

COASTAL CAROLINA TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
1. Coastal Carolina (2-0)
2. VCU (1-1)
3. GW (1-1)
4. USC Upstate (0-2)

CCU ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Cyprian Hedrick, Coastal Carolina
Kjartan Sigurdsson, Coastal Carolina
Luis Faz, Coastal Carolina
Ricky Garbanzo, Coastal Carolina
Josh Pantazelos, VCU
Brad Seymour, VCU
Jason Johnson, VCU
Alejandro Almodovar, GW
Brice Carr, GW
Andrew Aluko, GW
John Kadane, USC Upstate
Kareem Richardson, USC Upstate

Offensive MVP: Ricky Garbanzo
Defensive MVP: Cyprian Hedrick
Champion: Coastal Carolina