Sept. 1, 2009

Box Score

Spartanburg, S.C. - USC Upstate made a late push to tie the game in the waning minutes of its season opener with Georgia State Tuesday evening at County University Soccer Stadium, but the Panthers were able to hold onto their lead to take a 2-1 victory in non-conference men's soccer action.

Upstate fell to 0-1-0 to start the season and fell to 22-8 all-time in season openers and 22-5-1 in home openers. Georgia State improved to 1-0-0 on the year with the win.

Upstate controlled the game in the first half and dictated the pace of play. The Spartans outshot the Panthers 5-2 in the opening 45 minutes, but were unable to put anything up on the scoreboard as the teams took a scoreless tie into halftime. Georgia State was called for three yellow cards in first half of play.

The action picked up in the second half with all three of the game's goals being scored in the period. Georgia State jumped on top in the 53rd minute when a deflected pass made its way to the top of the penalty box in front of Upstate's goal. Georgia State's Stephan Minyono and Upstate keeper Pat Regna raced toward the ball and Minyono won the race, gaining control of the ball and lifting a shot over Regna and into the right side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

With Upstate back on its heels, Georgia State continued to press. The Panthers notched its second score 14 minutes after their first when Minyono took the ball down the left side of the box and drew Regna off his line. Minyono played a pass to an open Yasser Majluf in the center of the box eight yards out and Majluf put the shot away by a diving Regna to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the 66th minute.

With Upstate trailing 2-0, the Spartans made a late push to get back in the game. Felipe Grana, who had just entered the game five minutes earlier, scored his first collegiate goal in the 85th minute to get Upstate within one, 2-1. Erkan Yildirim started things when he gained control of the ball on the left side of the field, played a pass wide to Timo Foerster who one-touched a cross to Grana in the box. With Georgia State goalkeeper Vincent Foermer charging, Grana chipped a shot over Foermer's should and into the upper right 90 to give Upstate its first goal of the year and get the Spartans within one.

Upstate continued to pressure and built a couple of opportunities in the final four minutes, but could not get the final piece to work on its scoring plays as Georgia State held on for the win.

"We have progressed since last year," said Upstate head coach Greg Hooks. "Now we need to learn to take advantage of our chances. Winning in Division I requires putting away the half chances and we did not do that tonight. We saw a lot of positives from our young players that we can build on."

Upstate outshot Georgia State 10-7 for the game. However, only two of the Spartans' goals were on-goal. Regna and Foermer each had a save in the game, while Minyono led the way offensively with a goal and an assist.

Upstate returns to action Saturday night at 7:00 when the Spartans travel to Davidson, N.C., to take on the Wildcats in a non-conference game. Georgia State plays at Presbyterian Saturday evening at 5:00.