Sept. 14, 2008

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - With only four goals being scored throughout the entire tournament, the Carolinas Border Classic was marked by four games resulting in a final score of 1-0. The weekend tournament concluded on Sunday afternoon as the Elon Phoenix were crowned champions of the tournament, after a 1-0 victory over the second place Winthrop Eagles.

The USC Upstate women's soccer team garnered a fourth-place finish after losing, 1-0, to Gardner-Webb, who finished in third-place. The Spartans fall to 1-4 on the season. After an encouraging 2-1 victory over Charleston Southern to begin the season, the Spartans lose their fourth consecutive game by a 1-0 margin.

The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs took the lead midway through the first half as junior, Kasey Gladhill, earned an assist off her corner kick. Chelsey Hearne, using all six feet of her height amongst the huddle of players, jumped to head Gladhill's kick into the top left corner of the net out of Daughtry's reach for the only goal of the game.

The Spartans were once again unable to generate production on offense, being outshot 20-3 throughout the game. The Spartans created their biggest threat within the last five minutes of the game, keeping the ball on the Gardner-Webb defensive half. The game remained physical until the concluding whistle was blown, as three yellow cards were issued within the final minutes.

"Our final pass is still not what we need it to be," remarked head coach, Kendall Reyes. "We need to make better connections. Overall, we're digging deep, playing well and fighting hard. The freshmen on our front line are still adjusting to the college level of play. We'll get there."

Brittany Daughtry put together another strong performance in net with various diving stops on open Bulldog shots. She finished the game with nine saves, her second-best of the season, behind the 13 she earned at High Point on Aug. 31.

Junior Carmen Osorio and freshman Jordan Brown were both named to the All-Tournament Team. The entire team is listed below.

Carolinas Border Classic All-Tournament Team:
Dimitra Poulos, GK, Winthrop
Jordan Brown, D, USC Upstate
Chelsea Hearne, D, Gardner-Webb
Karissa Jensen, D, Gardner-Webb
Kristen Lee, M, Winthrop
Carmen Osorio, M, USC Upstate
Katie Persichini, M, Elon
Kerri Speers, M, Elon
Katina Boozer, F, Elon
Susannah Gianakos (Tournament MVP), F, Elon
Chelsea Tidwell, F, Winthrop