Spartans Drop Conference Opener to Mercer
9/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the conference opener for both teams, the USC Upstate men's soccer team fell to the visiting Mercer Bears by a score of 2-0 on Thursday night at County University Soccer Stadium
In the seventh minute, junior Jan Wienholt (Bocholt, Germany/Gymnasium HS) had the first scoring chance for the Spartans, but his shot sailed just left of the post.
Upstate (1-4-3, 0-1-0 A-Sun) took three corner kicks in a 59 second span, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities. Colin Francis (Toronto, Ontario/Father Leo. J Austin) took a shot after the third corner kick, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
In the 21st-minute, Richie Edmondson scored the first goal of the match for the Bears (5-1-1, 1-0-0) as he tallied his second goal of the season. Edmondson's shot from the left side from 13 yards out found the right side of the goal.
In the 58th-minute, Colin Francis again had a shot sail high, allowing Mercer to maintain the 1-0 advantage. Less than 10 minutes later, Mercer's Brady O'Brien scored his first goal of 2010 as his left footed shot from the right side hit the post and bounced in.
Upstate managed just two shots over the final 20 minutes of play as Mercer claimed the 2-0 victory.
Mercer totaled 16 shots on the night compared to eight for the Spartans. The Bears also owned the advantage in corner kicks (10-4).
Upstate goalkeeper Jason McCabe (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS) recorded five saves in the match and Upstate also picked up a team save to total six on Thursday night.
Mercer was called for 21 fouls and two offsides, while Upstate committed 12 fouls.
Upstate will return to action Saturday afternoon when it wraps up a four-match homestand against Campbell. Kick-off between the Spartans and the Camels is slated for 2:00 p.m.
