Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Jacksonville, Fla. – Jacksonville scored a goal in each half to take a 2-0 victory over USC Upstate in A-Sun men's soccer action Thursday night at Southern Oak Stadium, capping an entertaining match which saw the teams combine for 29 shots.
Upstate will complete its swing in the River City Saturday afternoon when it visits North Florida. Jacksonville will take on ETSU Saturday.
The action was fast and furious in the first half and after the teams combined for 14 shots, Jacksonville broke on top in the 40th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Guilherme Brandao gained possession in the box and put a shot by Upstate keeper Dani Alvarado.
Brandao's goal capped an active first half for both teams. Upstate's Joshua Jenkins took the game's first shot in the fourth minute. It began a run that saw Jacksonville take four shots over the next six minutes. After the 30 minute mark, Jacksonville and Upstate traded shots with the Dolphins finally cracking the scoreboard with the 15th shot of the half.
The teams ended the first half combining for 17 shots with Jacksonville owning a 12-5 advantage. The Dolphins held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks. Alvarado finished the half with three saves as Jacksonville placed four shots on goal.
Upstate remained active to start the second half. The Spartans took the first three shots of the half, all coming in the first 12 minutes.
Despite Upstate holding a 4-1 advantage in shots early in the second half, Jacksonville again cracked the scoreboard first to open a 2-0 lead in the 71st minute. Brandao was involved again, this time assisting on Nathan Dalton's goal.
Upstate continued to battle and took two more shots. However, the Spartans could not find the back of the net and Jacksonville took the win.
The Dolphins owned an 18-11 advantage in shots. Both teams took six shots in the second half with Alvarado coming up with a save to finish with a game-high four on the night. Jacksonville keeper Marc Meny made three saves in the second half to keep the Spartans scoreless.
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