Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Spartanburg, S.C. – On a hot and humid day at County University Soccer Stadium, Coastal Carolina broke open a close game in the first half with a late goal and went on for a 4-0 victory in non-conference women's soccer action Sunday afternoon.
After playing most of the first half without a goal, Coastal scored in the 41st minute to open a 1-0 lead. The Chanticleers scored three goals in the second half for the final decision.
Upstate fell to 1-2-1 with the loss. The Spartans will be back in action Thursday night at 7:00 at Furman in Greenville, S.C. Coastal Carolina improved to 2-1-1 on the year.
Coastal had a solid opportunity in the fourth minute when Kacey Kelley was played a cross and her header just went wide of the goal on the right side.
Coastal continued to put pressure on Upstate's defense and goalkeeper Ellen Bright (Fort Mill, S.C). Bright settled into the match early on and made a great play in the 23rd minute. With the ball loose at the top of the box after a corner kick, Bright sprinted out and dove to collect the loose ball before the Chanticleers could get to the ball. Five minutes later, she charged off her line and dove to collect another loose ball in the box.
Coastal's pressure finally paid off in the 41st minute when Taylor Valentine scored to give the Chanticleers a 1-0 lead. Miki Antzoulatos started things off, taking the ball down the left side just outside the box and sending a low cross in front of the goal mouth. Valentine was there to put the shot away into the left side of the goal.
Coastal Carolina maintained possession on Upstate's side of the field for the majority of the first half and owned an 11-1 lead in shots at halftime. Upstate's one shot was blocked by a Chanticleer defender before it could make its way toward the goal.
Sam Patterson gave Coastal a 2-0 lead in the 56th minute. Patterson gained possession about 27 yards out and battled through two defenders before creating enough space to get off a shot from 15 yards. The ball looped over Bright and into the top the goal.
Amber Adams gave Coastal a 3-0 lead in the 64th minute, converting after collecting the rebound on her own missed shot. Maddie Phillips played a ball into the box from the right side where Adams received the pass. Her first shot amid a slew of Upstate defenders was saved. However, the rebound came back to her and she put the shot into the empty net.
Coastal ended the scoring in the 84th minute when Charlotte Ratcliffe took possession on the left side of the field, battled through her defender, and moved toward the center of the box. With Bright coming out to make a shot more difficult, Ratcliffe put a shot in the upper right 90 for a 4-0 Chanticleer lead.
Coastal finished the match with a 23-2 lead in shots as Bright was active throughout the game in goal for the Spartans. The sophomore finished with six shots on the day.
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