Box Score FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Beall, dbeall@uscupstate.edu
Box Score (PDF)
MACON, Ga. – The USC Upstate women's soccer team allowed a pair of first-half goals on Friday evening and Mercer University held off the Spartans for a 3-0 victory at Bear Field in Atlantic Sun Conference action.
The Bears continue their unbeaten streak and improve to 7-3-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the A-Sun, while the Spartans fall to 2-10 overall and 0-3 in league action. Mercer remains perfect against Upstate in the all-time series at 6-0 and have not lost a contest in 21 days, dating back to a 1-0 defeat on the road at Georgia State.
The Bears wasted no time stealing an early lead as they took the opening kickoff, earned a corner and converted in the first minute to jump on top 1-0. Lauren Gassie lined up the corner kick that was deflected into the net for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Mercer added to its lead 13 minutes later when Washida Blackman dribbled deep in Upstate territory tapped a pass in the middle of the box that found the foot of a sliding Tess Patton and the sophomore fired a sliding shot into the back of the net. The score for Patton was her second of the year and gave Mercer a 2-0 advantage at the 13:53 mark.
The Spartans tallied a pair of first-half shots, but both attempts were wide of the mark. Michelle Calmeyn fired a header toward goal off a free kick, but the shot slid left of the far post, and Kenzie Major connected on a long distance shot was errant to the right.
The Bears increased their lead once again in the 55th minute when Plantz made a diving save to left, but the rebound was deflected to the foot of Mercer forward Patton who finished inside the left post for her second goal of the game.
Mercer continued to apply pressure over the final 35 minute, but the Upstate defense had an answer each time and Bears held on for a 3-0 victory in front of a crowd of 387 wearing pink t-shirts for the team's annual "Pink Out" contest to raise money and awareness for cancer.
The Spartans will now make their way up Interstate 75 for a Sunday afternoon matchup at Kennesaw State. Kickoff against the Owls at KSU Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
Follow Upstate women's soccer all season long on your mobile device, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
