Sept. 25, 2009

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team made a late push to attempt to force overtime, but came up just short. The Spartans fell to the visiting Jacksonville Dolphins 4-3. The Friday night match was the first conference match of the season for both teams. The Dolphins improve to 4-5-0 on the season with a 1-0-0 mark in league play, while the Spartans fall to 0-10-0 and 0-1-0 in the A-Sun.

The Spartans struck first when Dana Hillmann scored her first goal of the season after putting the ball between the pipes after it deflected off of Dolphin keeper Alexa Rooney. The Spartans early lead would last less than two minutes as JU scored in the 10th minute to tie the match at 1-1. The Dolphin goal was scored by Jessica Hurtado.

In the 26th minute, the match was delayed due to inclement weather in the area, the total duration of the delay totaled one hour and four minutes. The two teams would return to the field and the match appeared headed for a 1-1 halftime score until Emily Culbreth scored to give the Dolphins a 2-1 halftime advantage.

Jacksonville pushed its lead to 4-1 thanks to Jelena Vrcelj's first and second goals of the season. Those goals came in the 62nd and 79th minute, respectively.

Upstate made the match interesting as they posted two goals in the 89th minute to cut the deficit to 4-3. Daphnee Cadet scored her first goal of the season when she put a rebound shot in between the pipes. The Spartans scored 43 seconds later when Dana Hillman scored her second goal of the match and the season off of an assist from Cadet.

The 4-3 score would be the final margin as the Dolphins were able to keep the ball away from the Spartan attackers.

"I was proud of their effort and determination tonight," said head coach Kendall Reyes. "Using a field player in goal isn't something we are used to, but the girls really rallied tonight and made a terrific comeback, even if it didn't go our way. I am proud that they never gave up and fought until the very end."

Jacksonville outshot the Spartans by a 16-10 margin. The Dolphins recorded six shots on goal, while Upstate managed four. Jacksonville also owned the advantage in corner kicks, 4-1.

Upstate will return to action on Sunday when they wrap up a three-match home stand when they entertain the Ospreys of North Florida. The match at County University Soccer Stadium is slated for 2:00 p.m.