University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Kennesaw State
Upstate Concludes Weekend In Georgia With Two Losses
10/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2008
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The offensive drought continues to plague the USC Upstate women's soccer team, as they fell to Kennesaw State, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon, concluding their weekend of Conference play in Georgia with two losses. Caitlin Robinson scored the Spartan's only goal off a double assist from Meg Korpita and Kay Knepp to prevent the Owls from the Conference shutout.
The Owls, ranked third in the Conference standings, put together 26 shots on Upstate goalkeepers, compared to the three total shots that the Spartans gathered. The Owls also collected 12 corner kicks, compared to Upstate's zero. The Spartan offense continues to be outshot by opponents as the team has compiled a 1-7 record in Conference play.
The first goal of the game came as an unfortunate wakeup for the Spartan team. A Kennesaw State corner kick sailed in front of the net, where it remained a loose ball until it was touched in the net by an Upstate player. The goal gave the Owls a 1-0 lead going into the half.
The defending Conference champions came out strong in the second half, as freshman Kristin Kranick gathered her fourth and fifth goals of the season to help the Owls to the 4-1 advantage. Kranick's first goal to the right corner came off a cross from Sarah Marek only minutes into the half. Nearly 15 minutes later, Kranick led the Owls' offense again in scoring her second goal of the game to make the score 3-1.
The Spartans then produced a small comeback as freshman Caitlin Robinson, now tied with the team lead in goals (3), scored her third goal of the season off passes from Meg Korpita and Kay Knepp. Carmen Osorio and Crystal Hackett also had shots for the Spartans.
The Owls closed the game out once and for good with their final goal coming with five minutes left in the game. Yasha Blount scored her first goal of the season off a breakaway, set up with passes from Katie Schwartz and Beth Meadors. Freshman Katie Scott also earned two assists for the Owls.
"Kennesaw State played well, as expected, as they were last year's season Conference champions," said head coach Kendall Reyes. "We gave up some soft goals, but we missed some good chances on our half. All in all, we put together a good effort. We haven't given up, we're still hanging in there."
The Spartans fall to 3-12 overall, and 1-7 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Upstate squad will close out their Conference schedule in the next week, hosting Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Oct. 24, and Stetson on Sunday, Oct. 26. They will then travel to Coastal Carolina before ending their season at home against Radford on Nov. 2.
