Upstate Falls To Big South's First-Place Chanticleers, 5-0
10/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 30, 2008
CONWAY, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team returned to action on a chilly Thursday night at Coastal Carolina for a non-conference game, where they fell to the Chanticleers, 5-0.
The Coastal Carolina squad, the first-place team in the Big South, clearly displayed their offense and controlled the game only minutes after the start of the first-half, earning two corner kicks in the first five minutes of play. Anna Tupy scored the Chanticleer's first goal of the game after only ten minutes off of a cross from Blair Monroe. Heather Haupt also received an assist on the goal.
Tupy struck again later in the half with her second goal of the game and fourth of the season. This time, it was off of a Chanticleer corner kick, giving the Coastal Carolina team a 2-0 edge. They would score once more to bring a 3-0 lead into the half. Dana Gentile scored the third goal of the game off an assist from Samantha Teijelo with less than two minutes left to play in the half.
The Spartans once again found themselves down at the half, and tried to rejuvenate for a stronger second slate of play, as senior Samantha Spradley subbed in for Brittany Daughtry as the goalkeeper. The Upstate squad found themselves outshot 26-4, however, as most of the game was played on their defensive half. They were unable to come back in the second half as Coastal Carolina would score two more times before the game's end.
Haupt earned her second assist of the game on a cross to Blair Monroe, who netted her sixth goal of the season, widening the goal margin to four. The Chanticleers would score once more before the game's end to earn the 5-0 victory.
Daughtry earned three saves in the first half, while Spradley garnered six saves in the second half.
It seemed to be the same story for the quiet Spartan offense, which was unable to create many scoring opportunities. Upstate's leading scorer, Caitlin Robinson, had 2 shots for the Spartans, while Leigh Ward and Santana De Freitas each earned one apiece.
"Tonight was just a tough loss against a very tough team," said head coach Kendall Reyes. "They were probably one of the better teams we have played this season and they played very well tonight. Things have been difficult for us and we're still trying to make adjustments. We'll see what we can do on Sunday against Radford."
Reyes will have to wait until Sunday afternoon's game against Radford to possibly earn his 70th-career win at USC Upstate. Reyes started the women's soccer program in 2000 and is one win shy of 70 since coaching at Upstate.
The Chanticleers improve to 11-6 on the year, while the Spartans drop to 3-15 overall. The loss marks the Spartan's seventh-straight defeat, following last weekend's conference losses to FGCU and Stetson.
The Spartans will compete in their final game of the season on Sunday, Nov. 2, as they will host Radford on their home field, County University Soccer Stadium.
