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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate women's soccer team limited Mercer to just five shots on goal, but the Bears scored the lone goal of the contest in the 20th-minute en route to a 1-0 victory over the Spartans Friday night at County University Soccer Stadium.
Mercer (9-6-1, 3-4-1 Atlantic Sun) failed to capitalize on a pair of scoring chances in the first 10:58, but Washida Blackman's goal from inside the box proved to be all the offense the Bears needed Friday. Blackman took a lob pass from Casey Barrett and put her shot from inside the box over the head of Upstate (2-15-1, 0-8-0) goalkeeper Sarah Plantz (Cartersville, Ga.).
"It was a great effort by our girls tonight against a solid Mercer team," said head coach Renee Lopez. "I am proud of our back line. Julia Harris, Alyssa Wood, Jessica Jackrya, Katrina Spinner-Wilson, Kayli Moore and Sarah Plantz did a great job shutting down their top players. Unfortunately, we again struggled offensively and that is something we will focus on for Sunday's match against Kennesaw State. I also want to commend Julia Harris' senior leadership as part of our back line."
The Spartans managed just two shots in the match, both coming off of the foot of Kayli Moore
(Severna Park, Md.).
In all, Mercer tallied 17 shots compared to Upstate's two and the Bears led the way in shots on-goal, 5-0. Mercer also led the way in corner kicks (9-0).
The Spartans were whistled for 12 fouls, while Mercer committed six fouls and were called offsides twice.
Upstate will close out the 2011 regular season Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Kennesaw State. The match against the Owls will be senior day and the Spartans will honor Maegan Garner (Charleston, S.C.), Julia Harris (Simpsonville, S.C.), Krystal Hedderman (Locust Grove, Va.) and Karen Martinez (Bogota, Columbia) during a pre-match ceremony.
