Second Half Goals Doom Spartans Against Kennesaw St.
10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2007
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate hung tough with Atlantic Sun Conference leader Kennesaw State and held them scoreless for 75 minutes until the Owls broke through with goals in the 76th and 79th minutes to defeat the Spartans, 2-0, at County University Soccer Stadium Friday night.
Upstate falls to 3-10-0 on the season, 1-6-0 in the A-Sun, and Kennesaw State improves its record to 12-2-0, 7-0-0 in conference.
Spartan junior goalkeeper Samantha Spradley was busy in goal in the first half making five saves to keep the Owls off the scoreboard. Upstate had its best chance of the contest to score in the 29th minute when Kennesaw State goalkeeper Jamie Moroney was out of position and Spartan sophomore midfielder Melissa Kuhar had an open net for an instant, but Moroney recovered in time to block Kuhar's shot out of the way.
After a scoreless first half, the Owls increased their offensive attack. Spradley was up to the challenge early making several saves including a diving save on a breakaway by Kennesaw State forward Caitlin Dingle.
The Owls broke through with midfielder Beth Meadors scoring with a header off of a corner kick by midfielder Sara Marek in the 76h minute for a 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, in the 79th minute, forward Annie Phillips scored from six yards out off of a cross by Marek for a 2-0 lead.
Kennesaw State outshot Upstate 16-1 in the second half and 23-3 for the game. Spradley led the Spartans with 13 saves, one shy of tying the school record, and Kuhar had three shots.
Marek had two assists to lead the Owls and midfielder Sara Clapham also had an assist. Moroney made two saves and picked up the win in goal.
Upstate will host Mercer on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at County University Soccer Stadium.
