University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Mercer
Kadane Lifts Upstate Over Mercer
10/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2009
Macon, Ga. - John Kadane pounded a grounded shot into the back of the net in the 83rd minute to lead USC Upstate to a 2-1 victory over A-Sun leader Mercer Saturday night in men's soccer action at Bear Field.
Mercer entered the game with a 3-0-0 record in the conference and sat atop the A-Sun standings. Upstate was 0-1-1 in the league, but was 3-2-1 in the last six matches. In the end, Kadane's goal spelled the difference as Upstate improved to 4-5-1 overall and 1-1-1 with four points in the A-Sun. The four wins also sets a new season record for Upstate as members of Division I. Mercer fell to 4-5-2 overall and 3-1-0 with nine points in the league.
"We certainly give credit where it's due, we hung on to win," said Upstate head coach Greg Hooks. "Mercer has won some games in the league and it was nice to see us fight back to get the win. From the way the season has gone so far, we have to defend well, work hard and fight to get wins. We did that tonight. It seems like the harder we work the more things seem to go our way."
Both Upstate and Mercer were active early, combining for three shots in the first 17 minutes of the game before Upstate cracked the scoreboard. Erkan Yildirim gained possession of the ball 20 yards out and fired a shot into the back of the net to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
Upstate dodged a bullet in the 36th minute when Mercer counterattacked. Sharpe Sablon took a shot from the right side and the ball hit the post before Upstate was able to clear the shot. Mercer continued to press and Upstate keeper Pat Regna made two tremendous saves to keep the Bears off the board.
Mercer's Richard Winsatt moved to his left and fired a shot to the right side of the goal through Upstate's defense. Regna made a diving save to his left, but the rebound came down to Arkenson Neckles. Neckles pounded a shot from six yards out on the right side, but Regna dove to his right to make the save.
Despite Regna's efforts, Mercer broke through to tie the game with just six seconds before halftime. The Bears were able to get numbers on Upstate's defense and Neckles took a shot. Regna was able to make the diving save, but the rebound was collected five yards out on the left by Ian Cameron who slid a shot on the ground by a diving Regna to even the match heading into the intermission.
The teams battled throughout the second half and with the game under 10 minutes to play, Upstate jumped on top, 2-1. After a Mercer foul, Timo Foerster took the free kick and played a ball from 45 yards out to the left side of the box. The cross came down at the feet of freshman John Kadane and Kadane knocked a grounded shot under a diving Brett Petricek to give the Spartans the lead in the 83rd minute. It was his second goal of the season and the first game winner of his career.
Mercer made one last ditch effort to tie the game. With less than three minutes to play in the game, the Bears played a ball deep into the box. Regna jumped to catch the ball just inside the goal line. It appeared that a Mercer player made contact with Regna who landed and stumbled backwards into the goal. While Mercer players began to celebrate what they thought was a goal, the linesman called a foul on the Mercer player who forced Regna into the goal and Upstate maintained its 2-1 lead. It would be the last opportunity for the Bears as the Spartans held on for the win.
The teams were more than active offensively. Mercer led in shots, owning a 20-13 advantage for the game. However, Upstate made its shots count and took the 2-1 win. Regna finished the game with 12 saves, tying his career high.
