Sunday, September 27
Mount Pleasant, S.C.
6:00 PM
College of Charleston
vs
UNCW
Men's Soccer Returns Home to Face UNCW
9/25/2026 9:41:00 AM | Men's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men's soccer team will return to Patriots Point for the first time since September 8 on Sunday, September 27, following a historic 2-1 victory over No. 1 South Carolina on Tuesday night. The Cougars will host CAA foe UNCW with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m.
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MATCH #9 — College of Charleston (5-1-2) vs. #23 UNCW (6-1-1) | Sunday, September 27 | 6:00 p.m. | Charleston, S.C.
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QUICK KICKS — Charleston has started the 2026 season 5-1-2 and 1-1-1 in CAA play. The Cougars defeated the top-ranked Gamecocks, 2-1, in Columbia behind a brace from junior Stian Bendvold.
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The victory marked the first time in program history that Charleston defeated the No. 1 team in the country. The Cougars have now won four of their last five matches against ranked opponents and have defeated a ranked opponent in each of the last three seasons.
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Charleston is led by Keith Wiggans who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Cougars. Wiggans' assistant coaches are Jet Terry (2nd season), Ernesto Aguinaga-Hernandez (2nd season) and Jake Douvas (1st season). Anissa Williams also enters her first season with the Cougars as the team's Head of Data Analytics.
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LAST TIME OUT — The Cougars jumped out to an early lead against the nation's top-ranked team when Bendvold found the back of the net in the 28th minute. Matt Lenert played the ball through the Gamecock defense to Bendvold, who took a step from the right side of the box before striking the ball past the goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.Â
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South Carolina answered with 21 seconds remaining in the first half, leveling the match.
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In the 85th minute, Bendvold found the back of the net again. The junior's second goal of the match gave Charleston a 2-1 lead that the Cougars would hold onto for the remainder of the game.
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Marten Brink made 2 saves for the Cougars.
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BENDVOLD'S BREAKOUT– Bendvold has made an impact throughout the 2026 season, earning CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors after recording a goal and an assist in Charleston's 2-1 win over Campbell. The junior continued his strong play against No. 1 South Carolina, scoring both goals in the Cougars' historic 2-1 victory, including the game-winner in the 85th minute. The Begby, Norway, native, now has three goals and two assists through eight matches this season.
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SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS — UNCW enters Sunday's matchup receiving votes in the US National Poll and undefeated in CAA play at 3-0. The Seahawks, who peaked at No. 23 a week ago, are 6-1-1 overall riding on a two-match winning streak.
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MATCHUP HISTORY VS. SEAHAWKS — The Cougars are 4-10-5 all-time against the Seahawks. The teams last met in Charleston on Nov. 1, 2025 where the Cougars earned a 2-1 victory.Â
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THE WIGGANS FILE — Keith Wiggans enters his seventh season as head coach at his alma mater in 2026 after being promoted from associate head coach in December 2019. Wiggans spent 11 seasons serving under his college coach and the program's all-time winningest coach, Ralph Lundy, who retired in following the 2019 season. Wiggans was an assistant coach for nine years and associate head coach for two seasons before taking over the program. He was part of the staff which won the Southern Conference title and made its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2010.
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Wiggans' Head Coaching Record
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 For complete coverage of Charleston men's soccer, follow us on X (@CofCSoccer) and Instagram (@CofCSoccer).
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MATCH #9 — College of Charleston (5-1-2) vs. #23 UNCW (6-1-1) | Sunday, September 27 | 6:00 p.m. | Charleston, S.C.
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QUICK KICKS — Charleston has started the 2026 season 5-1-2 and 1-1-1 in CAA play. The Cougars defeated the top-ranked Gamecocks, 2-1, in Columbia behind a brace from junior Stian Bendvold.
Â
The victory marked the first time in program history that Charleston defeated the No. 1 team in the country. The Cougars have now won four of their last five matches against ranked opponents and have defeated a ranked opponent in each of the last three seasons.
Â
Charleston is led by Keith Wiggans who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Cougars. Wiggans' assistant coaches are Jet Terry (2nd season), Ernesto Aguinaga-Hernandez (2nd season) and Jake Douvas (1st season). Anissa Williams also enters her first season with the Cougars as the team's Head of Data Analytics.
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LAST TIME OUT — The Cougars jumped out to an early lead against the nation's top-ranked team when Bendvold found the back of the net in the 28th minute. Matt Lenert played the ball through the Gamecock defense to Bendvold, who took a step from the right side of the box before striking the ball past the goalkeeper and into the left side of the net.Â
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South Carolina answered with 21 seconds remaining in the first half, leveling the match.
Â
In the 85th minute, Bendvold found the back of the net again. The junior's second goal of the match gave Charleston a 2-1 lead that the Cougars would hold onto for the remainder of the game.
Â
Marten Brink made 2 saves for the Cougars.
Â
BENDVOLD'S BREAKOUT– Bendvold has made an impact throughout the 2026 season, earning CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors after recording a goal and an assist in Charleston's 2-1 win over Campbell. The junior continued his strong play against No. 1 South Carolina, scoring both goals in the Cougars' historic 2-1 victory, including the game-winner in the 85th minute. The Begby, Norway, native, now has three goals and two assists through eight matches this season.
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SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS — UNCW enters Sunday's matchup receiving votes in the US National Poll and undefeated in CAA play at 3-0. The Seahawks, who peaked at No. 23 a week ago, are 6-1-1 overall riding on a two-match winning streak.
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MATCHUP HISTORY VS. SEAHAWKS — The Cougars are 4-10-5 all-time against the Seahawks. The teams last met in Charleston on Nov. 1, 2025 where the Cougars earned a 2-1 victory.Â
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THE WIGGANS FILE — Keith Wiggans enters his seventh season as head coach at his alma mater in 2026 after being promoted from associate head coach in December 2019. Wiggans spent 11 seasons serving under his college coach and the program's all-time winningest coach, Ralph Lundy, who retired in following the 2019 season. Wiggans was an assistant coach for nine years and associate head coach for two seasons before taking over the program. He was part of the staff which won the Southern Conference title and made its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2010.
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Wiggans' Head Coaching Record
- 2020-21 (COVID-19): 1-4-3 (0-3-1 CAA)
- 2021: 5-8-3 (1-6-1 CAA)
- 2022: 5-7-5 (3-4-2 CAA)
- 2023: 6-6-5 (2-4-2 CAA)
- 2024: 10-6-2 (4-2-2 CAA)
- 2025: 6-8-3 (3-3-2 CAA)
- 2026: 5-1-2 (1-1-1 CAA)
- Overall Record: 38-40-24
- CAA Record: 14-23-1
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 For complete coverage of Charleston men's soccer, follow us on X (@CofCSoccer) and Instagram (@CofCSoccer).
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, July 29
Friday, July 17
Wednesday, June 17
