Sept. 8, 2008

Box Score

Atlanta, Ga. - Just 15 seconds after USC Upstate tied the game at 1-1, Georgia State struck back with the eventual game-winning goal as the Panthers held off a determined Spartan squad for a 2-1 victory in non-conference men's soccer action Monday evening at Panthersville Soccer Stadium.

Upstate fell to 1-1-0 on the season with the loss. The Spartans travel to Rock Hill, S.C., this weekend for the Wingate Inn Classic hosted by Winthrop. Upstate takes on Winthrop Friday night at 7:30 and Gardner-Webb Sunday afternoon at 12:00. Georgia State improved to 2-1-0 with the win.

"I thought we played hard and gave a pretty solid effort," said Upstate head coach Greg Hooks. "Pat Regna made a couple great saves to keep us in the game in the first half. I was disappointed with how easily we gave up the second goal. But, it was a learning experience and I hope we learn from our mistakes for the next game."

It took Upstate a little while to get into the flow of things offensively, but the Spartan defense and, in particular, goalkeeper Patrick Regna kept Upstate in the game. Regna made three impressive saves in the first half to keep the score 0-0 for most of the half.

It wasn't until the 43rd minute that either team cracked the scoreboard. An Upstate defender was called for a foul 30 yards from the goal in the middle of the field and Georgia State was granted a free kick. Panther Linus Warendh took the kick and bent the ball around the Upstate wall and past a diving Regna to give Georgia State a 1-0 lead.

Upstate began to put together its offensive attack with more frequency and precision in the second half. With Timo Foerster controlling the midfield and Erkan Yildirim and Hakeem King working together up top, the Spartans put together several scoring opportunities. With 30 minutes left in the game, Yildirim beat his defender and played a pass by the charging goalkeeper and towards the far post to King. King and the Georgia State defender fought for the ball at the goal line before the Panthers were able to clear the ball.

Upstate broke through in the 67th minute, again with Yildirim and King doing the damage. King took on his defender on the right side and played a cross to the front of the goal where Yildirim put the header away to tie the game at 1-1.

However, Georgia State struck quickly. They sent the ball down the left side of the field off of the kickoff and Dathan Knott played a pass through the Spartan defense to Stephan Minyono who put the ball into the net to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead just 15 seconds after Yildirim's goal. It would end up being the game winner.

The game turned physical in the second half with players on both sides picking up fouls. Georgia State was cautioned with three yellow cards. Despite the physical play, both teams were able to recover after each brief skirmish to put together solid offensive games in the second half. Regna finished the game with nine saves to lead the Spartans.