Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Spartanburg, S.C. – With time winding down in regulation, Quentin Reynolds headed in a rebounded shot off the crossbar to lift UNC Asheville to a 2-1 victory over USC Upstate in non-conference men's soccer action Tuesday night at County University Soccer Stadium.
Upstate fell to 0-3-0 on the year with the loss, dropping its home opener. The Spartans will return to action Saturday night at 7:00 when they travel to Boone, N.C., to take on Appalachian State for just the second time in program history. UNCA improved to 2-2-0 with the win.
Upstate had a solid opportunity in the 12th minute when Dave Musambi (Ottawa, Ontario) gained possession of the ball deep in the box about five feet from the right post. He curled around his defender and put a shot toward the goal, but it hit off the post and went over the end line for a goal kick.
Upstate had another golden opportunity in the 31st minute. Musambi took the ball down the middle of the field and fought off two Bulldog defenders to create space about 16 yards out. UNCA's goalkeeper, Dan Jackson, charged off his line and managed to save the shot taken by Musambi. The shot rebounded off Jackson and the Spartans regained control, but could not get a shot off as UNCA's defenders were able to clear the ball.
Despite not getting too many chances except on an occasional counter attack, UNCA cracked the scoreboard in the 33rd minute to take a 1-0 lead. Upstate committed a foul 22 yards out and Kenny Lingerfelt took the free kick. He bent the shot over the right side of the Spartan wall and into the net just inside the post for the early lead.
Upstate finished the half with a 7-5 lead in shots. Jackson led UNCA with three saves, while Spartan keeper Dani Alvarado (Leander, Texas) made one.
After playing a large portion of the second half without either team having any real opportunity to score, Upstate finally broke through in the 75th minute on a great effort from Musambi. Marvin Schmiege (Berlin, Germany) sent a long pass to Musambi who took the ball down the right side of the box. He battled through two defenders without losing possession and blasted a left-footed shot through Jackson and into the back of the net for the equalizer.
With time winding down in regulation, UNCA scored the match winner on a flurry in front of the net. Paul Egle's header off a corner kick was saved by Alvarado, who was able to just get a touch on it and send it against the crossbar. However, the ball bounced off and Reynolds was there to put the header away for the go-ahead goal with 1:16 remaining in the match. Upstate could not put anything together the rest of the half as the Bulldogs held on for the win.
Upstate dictated the pace of play and owned a 17-8 lead in shots in the match. However, only six Spartan shots were on goal. Jackson came up with five saves to lead the UNCA defensive effort. Alvarado totaled three saves on the night at five of the Bulldogs' shots were on frame.
Follow the Spartans on your mobile device, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
