University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Citadel
Hackett Leads Spartans to Victory in Double-Overtime Fashion
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 19, 2008
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The USC Upstate Spartans came to battle on a long Friday night at County University Soccer Stadium. Though they were unaware they would be playing for nearly 110 minutes, they were prepared and played hard throughout the entire game to take home their second win of the season. Freshman Crystal Hackett scored the game winning goal in double overtime to give the Spartans the 2-1 decision over The Citadel.
The Spartan offense broke its scoreless streak of four games within the first fifteen minutes of play. An attack led by Carmen Osorio followed by a string of Upstate passes, with double assists from Santana De Freitas and Crystal Hackett, led to a goal by freshman Caitlin Robinson. The goal was her second of the season.
However, the Spartans didn't retain the lead for long. With nearly seventeen minutes left in the half, The Citadel Bulldogs evened the score off a corner kick. Senior Nikki Mares was credited for her fifth goal of the season, as freshman Amy Loughran recorded the assist.
The score remained 1-1 at halftime. Neither team could cross the goal line in the second half, though play on the field remained physical as three yellow cards were given out. The Citadel recorded six shots throughout the half but were unable to get beyond Daughtry.
The Bulldogs and Spartans battled through the first ten-minute overtime period with two shots apiece. The Spartans generated some key offensive opportunities, receiving attempts by Alyssa Roegner and Santana De Freitas, but were unable to record a goal. The game continued to double overtime.
Hackett, a freshman from Waterbury, Conn., turned out to be the crucial Spartan of the game. With just under two minutes remaining in double overtime, Hackett, who already tallied an assist on the night, collected her first goal of the season and concurrently helped the Spartans earn their second win of the season.
It was an all around team effort that enabled the Spartan team to win. Brittany Daughtry, who totaled five saves on the night, came up big when she made a diving stop off Amy Loughran's shot to the corner of the net. The entire Spartan defense found a way to withstand the 16 shots by the Citadel offense, while the Upstate offense finally created solutions to penetrate towards the goal.
"Most importantly, I'm excited our players finally found a way to get over the hurdles and win," stated head coach, Kendall Reyes. "As the nature of the game dictates, we need to do things differently and respond to each game scenario. We tried some new things today and tried to find some answers. I'm very proud of the girls for persevering through two overtimes and coming out on top. I'm excited to prove to others what we bring to the table and make some good things happen."
The Spartans move to 2-4 on the season. They will host Furman on Monday night before they open of A-Sun Conference play next weekend.
