COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Led by two second half goals from senior forward Justin Meram, the Michigan men's soccer team beat South Carolina 3-1 on Sunday to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Meram put Michigan ahead 1-0 in the 64th minute. Less than a minute later, South Carolina senior defender Will Traynor was red-carded in front of a home crowd at Stone Stadium, forcing the Gamecocks to play with 10 men the rest of the way.

Michigan (16-4-3) took full advantage, with freshman Soony Saad scoring his 19th goal of the season in the 71st minute and Meram putting the Wolverines ahead 3-0 in the 81st minute with a left-footed shot inside the 18-yard box.

It was Meram's 15th goal of the season and his 10th in seven games.

South Carolina (13-7-2) avoided the shutout with a goal from Sam Arthur in the 84th minute. Michigan junior goalie Chris Blais finished with six saves.

Michigan will play at Maryland, the tournament's No. 2 seed, next week (Dec. 3-5). Maryland beat Penn State 1-0 on Sunday.

MORE COVERAGE: • As Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Daily Gamecock writes, Will Traynor's red card was the the turning point of the game. • For the second time in as many NCAA tournament games, Michigan overcame solid goalkeeping from the opposition writes Matt Slovin of the Michigan Daily.

• Maryland only managed one shot on goal against Penn State on Sunday, and it was by a defender who hadn't scored all season...until that shot that is. • Before asking the inevitable question in a Michigan soccer story of 'why can't one of these guys kick for the football team?' recall that Justin Meram can kick a football...quite well actually, and opted to stick with one sport.

• Before Michigan coach Steve Burns was an Elite Eight coach, he was known to every now and then 'buck' the system.