University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
-3102, 142 ASun
Florida Gulf Coast
-842, 502 ASun
Spartans Halt First-Place Eagles Five-Match Winning Streak
10/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – For the second consecutive match, the USC Upstate women's soccer team pitched a shutout as they battled to a scoreless draw with the league-leading Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday afternoon at County University Soccer Stadium.
The Spartans (3-10-2, 1-4-2), picked up its fifth conference point of the season after halting FGCU's five-match winning streak. It also broke the Eagles three-match win streak in the series.
"I am proud of our girls today as they battled throughout the entire match," said head coach Renee Lopez. "Our team has believed in itself and that really showed today as we earned a double-overtime draw against the first-place team in the Atlantic Sun, FGCU. No one expected us to compete today or Friday night, but our girls played their hearts out and we look to continue to build on our success as we travel to Kennesaw State and Mercer next weekend."
Rachel Collins (Raleigh, N.C./Athens Drive) saved the day for the Spartans as she tallied 12 saves, including several key saves in the final minutes of regulation and overtime. With her second straight shutout, Collins now owns a scoreless streak of 247:10.
The Spartans had a chance to take the lead in the 66th-minute when Maegan Garner (Charleston, S.C./Fort Dorchester) charged toward the goal. After Garner beat a FGCU defender, she lost track of the ball after heading it toward the goal. Eagle goalkeeper Stephanie Powers grabbed the ball to deny the Spartans chance.
Upstate's trio of seniors all played a vital role in Sunday's draw against the Eagles.
"Today's draw is a significant step for our program," said senior Catherine Nolff (Columbia, S.C./Irmo). "We are working well together and we have bonded like a family over the course of the season and that has led to our success this season.
"The entire team competed for the entire length of the match today," said senior Alyssa Roegner (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower). "We gave both Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast everything we had and we were able to record two draws, which is a huge stepping stone for this program."
"I am really proud of the team's effort not only today, but Friday night as well," said senior Leigh Ward (Summerville, S.C./Fort Dorchester). "We had two matches that both resulted in draws and even though we were on the field for a long period of time, we still found a way to keep fighting and earn a draw."
In the second half, Upstate faced a barrage of shots as FGCU tallied a total of 14 in the second period. In all, the Eagles outshot the Spartans by a 25-4 margin, including 13-1 in shots on-goal. FGCU took a total of 11 corner kicks, while the Spartans managed none.
FGCU committed 14 fouls in the match and was whistled offsides three times, while Upstate was called for eight fouls. The Spartans tallied 13 saves on Sunday (12 by Collins and one team save), while FGCU's Powers saved one.
Upstate will return to action next weekend as it travels to the Peach State for a pair of matches against Kennesaw State and Mercer.
