Bulldogs on Tap for Spartans in Week Three
8/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Beall, dbeall@uscupstate.edu
Upstate Game Notes | A-Sun Game Notes
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - After a tough road trip up the East Coast that saw the USC Upstate women's soccer team fall at Navy on Friday evening and Liberty University on Sunday afternoon, the Spartans will look to rebound when they kick-off a two-game homestand Thursday evening at the friendly confines of County University Stadium.
The Spartans will welcome a pair of winless Bulldog teams to town as UNC Asheville (0-3) and Gardner-Webb (0-3) will be looking to pick up their first victories of the season.
Fans wishing to check out the action can follow live in-game statistics through the PrestoSports Primetime Network or watch a live video stream at A-Sun.tv.
Quick Hits
Shutout City: Gardner-Webb has struggled offensively this fall as they have failed to score a goal in its first three games and have recorded just eight shots on goal in 270 minutes of action. While the defense has allowed seven goals, including just one to Wofford, the Bulldogs will need to generate some offensive firepower to pick up their first win of the year.
Close Calls: UNC Asheville has a winless record tagged to its name, but a pair of one-goal games to open the season has the Bulldogs closer to success than it might appear. Following a season-opening 2-1 loss at Eastern Kentucky, Asheville came back home and battled an unbeaten ETSU squad to double overtime before falling 2-1 to the Bucs. The Bulldogs also suffered a 7-0 setback at UNC Greensboro, a team that shocked 7th-ranked Wake Forest on the road. Asheville's three opponents so far in 2012 have a combined record of 9-2.
Slow Starts: Following a road swing that saw the Spartans outscored 10-0 in a span of two games, Upstate is looking to get back on track and pick up their first home victory of the year. The Spartans allowed five goals in the first 20 minutes of action the last two games and will be looking to start strong and apply some offensive pressure in the first half.
Saving Plantz: Junior goalkeeper Sarah Plantz is doing all she can in goal for the Spartans with nine saves in each of the last two games and 30 saves on the season. While she is allowing 2.87 goals per game, she has faced 84 shots with 43 of those on target. Her 30 saves on the year lead the A-Sun, sitting eight saves ahead of ETSU's Sierra Campbell and Lipscomb's Erin Zerio.
Moment with Minihan
On last weekend's Bright Spots: "One of our goals for the weekend was to eliminate corner kicks. Against Charleston Southern we gave away 11 which were way too many. At Navy we gave up five and at Liberty we gave up two, so I think even though it's small, it's something positive for us. It tells me we are getting in better shape defensively and we are more aware of where we are trying to put the ball when we clear it, so there was progress made with our defensive shape."
On Playing two Winless Teams: "Anytime you play a winless team you expect them to have a little fire in them to try and capitalize on your team. For us, every game is going to be a good game. Regardless of records, soccer is funny; if you don't show up to play you will get beat."
About the Opponents
UNC ASHEVILLE BULLDOGS (0-3-0)
Matchup: Thurs., Aug. 30, 7:00 PM • County University Stadium
Live Stats: www.upstatespartans.com • Live Video: Asun.TV
Head Coach: Michelle Demko (Maryland, '96)
Record at ASHEVILLE: 5-34-1 (3rd season)
GARDNER-WEBB BULLDOGS (0-3-0)
Matchup: Tues., Sept. 4, 7:00 PM • County University Stadium
Live Stats: www.upstatespartans.com • Live Video: Asun.TV
Head Coach: Kevin Mounce (Sue Bennett, '93)
Tenure at GWU: (14th season)
- Follow All the Action Live -
