Box Score Davidson, N.C. – After a hard-fought match and a tremendous come-from-behind effort from the Spartans, Davidson took a 4-3 victory on a penalty kick goal in overtime over USC Upstate in the finale of the Davidson adidas Classic Monday night at Alumni Field.
Upstate fell behind, 1-0, in the first half, but rallied to tie the match. The Spartans then fell behind, 3-1, in the second half before storming back to tie the game and send it into overtime. However, the Spartans took a tough loss on a penalty kick in the 94th-minute.
Upstate fell to 2-2-1 on the year with the loss. The Spartans will not play again until a week from Wednesday at cross-town rival Wofford. Davidson improved to 1-2-1 on the year.
"They are a good team. Every game is like this. It's always a one-goal game. We are better than we have been. To come back from being down 3-1 is pretty good. We will move forward. I told our guys that if we can play every game like that, we will win our share of games. The fact that we could come back from a 3-1 deficit bodes well for us," said Upstate head coach Greg Hooks.
It was an explosive first half with both teams getting and cashing in on their scoring opportunities. Davidson quickly pressured Upstate's defense with two shots in the first 1:23, one being blocked before it could get to the goal and the other sailing high over the bar after a corner kick.
Nearly five minutes later, Davidson put a shot on goal, but Upstate keeper Dani Alvarado (Leander, Texas) saved the shot. The Wildcats pushed through in the 22nd-minute when Andrew Dilallo converted on a re-directed cross to give Davidson a 1-0 lead. It marked the first goal against the Spartans and Alvarado in the last 305 minutes of play. Alvarado entered the game with three consecutive shutouts.
Upstate, though, did not go away and quickly tied the game in the 28th-minute. Dave Musambi (Ottawa, Ontario) played a cross into the box and Dylan Hoop (Hamilton, Ohio) put the shot away for his second goal of the season.
Upstate took five more shots in the half, but Davidson was able to keep the Spartans off the board for the remainder of the period as the teams went into the intermission with a 1-1 tie. Both teams took six shots in the first half. The Spartans put four shots on goal, while the Wildcats put three on frame.
Just as was the case in the first half, Davidson pressured early in the second half. The Wildcats made their strokes count, though, scoring a goal in the 49th-minute and scoring again just 2:16 later to open a 3-1 lead. Valerly Svidlersky scored both quick-strike goals in the period.
Just as was the case in the first half, Upstate did not fold under the pressure and got within a goal in the 60th-minute. After a corner kick, James Hadley (Norwich, England) took a shot that was blocked. However, John Kadane (Garland, Texas) was there to gather the ball and put the shot in the net to get the Spartans within one, 3-2.
Kadane's goal energized the Upstate offense and the Spartans took five more shots in the next 16 minutes. Upstate got the equalizer when Musambi converted with his left foot to the far post in the 84th-minute to stun the Wildcats who were trying to hold on for the win.
Upstate got off two shots in the last minute of regulation, but the period ended just at it began, with the two teams tied. Upstate took 11 shots in the second half, while Davidson took six. The Spartans put six shots on goal, while the Wildcats put four on frame.
The game would be decided just over three minutes into overtime in what was a tough way to end an entertaining contest. After a handball was called on Upstate in the box, Davidson won the game on a penalty kick in the 94th-minute. Brian McGue put the game-winner away.
Upstate finished the game with a 17-14 lead in shots. Davidson held the edge, 6-5, in corner kicks.
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