Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Nashville, Tenn. – Upstate opened a 1-0 lead midway through the first half and held the advantage for nearly the rest of the opening 45 minutes, but three Bisons goals in the second half spelled the difference as Lipscomb took a 4-1 victory over the Spartans in A-Sun women's soccer action Sunday afternoon.
Upstate ended its season with the loss, finishing the year with a Division I era best four wins to go along with three ties. Sunday also saw the standout career of goalkeeper Sarah Plantz come to an end. Plantz turned in one of the all-time great careers at Upstate. The A-Sun Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012, she has turned in arguably an even better season this year. She started 16 matches and was in goal for all four of Upstate's wins. She also finished with a 2.30 Goals against average, 0.71 better than last year's average.
After the teams battled back and forth early in the match, Upstate put together a scoring effort that first started with a blocked shot by senior Rachel Carr. Carr's shot went off a Bisons defender and over the end line, leading to a corner kick. Rebecca Sanzsole, also playing in the final match of her career at Upstate, took the kick and sent a cross into the box. Ciara Murphy was there and sent a low shot into the net to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute.
Upstate looked like it would take the 1-0 lead into halftime, but Lipscomb evened the match on a goal with just 23 seconds remaining in the half. Alesondra Colbert sent a cross in from the right where Caroline Chadwell played a one-touch into the goal for the equalizer.
The teams stood even with five shots apiece in the first half with Plantz making the only save in the first 45 minutes.
After Upstate was called for a foul in the box early in the second half, Lipscomb was awarded a penalty kick. Brittany Rupple converted the kick to give the Bisons a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. The goal would end up being the game winner.
The teams continued to jockey for position until Lipscomb gave itself some insurance in the 74th minute when Upstate was again called for a foul in the box. Ellen Lundy converted the penalty kick to give the Bisons a 3-1 lead. A little less than four minutes later, Baylee Linnell scored on an assist from Alex Hickey as Lipscomb opened a 4-1 lead and end the scoring in the match.
Upstate was held without a shot in the second half and Lipscomb finished the game with a 16-5 lead in shots. Plantz finished the game with three saves to lead the Spartans.
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