Spartans Host FGCU, Stetson in Pivotal Conference Weekend
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Spartanburg, S.C. – Unbeaten in its last two games, the USC Upstate women's soccer team returns to the pitch this weekend to host Florida Gulf Coast Friday at 7 p.m. and Stetson Sunday at 1 p.m. from County University Soccer Stadium.
Upstate enters the weekend in fifth place in the league standings after earning a point Sept. 28 in a 1-1 draw with Northern Kentucky. The Spartans fell behind 1-0 early in the second half, but junior Caroline Keener answered with the equalizer less than 10 minutes later for her first career goal. Nicki Krejci picked up her second assist of the season on the play, while sophomore Rachel Baylor registered her first career assist.
Junior keeper Ellen Bright tallied six saves and ranks fifth in the Atlantic Sun with 44 saves thus far this season.
Florida Gulf Coast begins play Friday sporting an 8-3-0 overall record and a 1-0-0 mark in A-Sun play. The Eagles have won four straight following their 3-2 overtime win Sept. 28 at La Salle. Florida Gulf Coast bested North Florida 3-0 Sept. 26 in its only conference game this season.
Tabby Tindell leads the Florida Gulf Coast offensive attack, as the sophomore paces the Atlantic Sun with 12 goals scored to go along with four assists. Senior Shannen Wacker owns a league-best eight assists.
Stetson has lost four of its last five games following a 2-1 setback Sept. 26 at Jacksonville. The Hatters are 2-8-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the A-Sun and have yet to win a game away from home. Stetson is scheduled to play at Kennesaw State Friday at 7 p.m. before arriving in Spartanburg.
Sophomore Eduarda Pavao leads the Hatters with seven points on three goals and one assist.
"We are looking forward to continuing A-Sun play against two great opponents this weekend," USC Upstate head coach Abby Minihan said. "We are hungry to show our improvement and look forward to the opportunities we have, especially being that we are at home."
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