Men's Soccer
1
Winner Gardner-Webb GWU (6-3-1, 3-0-0)
0
USC Upstate UPSTM (2-8-0, 0-3-0)
Winner
Gardner-Webb GWU
(6-3-1, 3-0-0)
1
Final
0
USC Upstate UPSTM
(2-8-0, 0-3-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gardner-Webb GWU 0 1 1
USC Upstate UPSTM 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

SPARTANS STUNNED IN FINAL MINUTES BY BULLDOGS.

Spartanburg, S.C.— The USC Upstate men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Gardner-Webb on Tuesday evening at County University Soccer Stadium.
 
A goal in the 87th minute by Pedro Benito put the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead. With the loss the Spartans fall to 2-8-0 overall on the season and 0-3-0 in Big South Conference action. Gardner-Webb improves to 6-3-1 on the year and 3-0-0 in Big South play.
 
In the opening half of play, it was all USC Upstate. From the very first minute of the match, the Spartans kept the ball on the Bulldogs defensive half. Pol Monells and the Spartan attack got off to fast start as Monells took a shot outside the 18-yard box and Daniel Husa was forced to make a play on the ball.
 
This was the first of many saves for Gardner-Webb's goalkeeper, Husa totaled five saves in just the opening half of play. 
 
The Spartan defense pushed up high to keep the ball and pressure on the Bulldog defenders as the Spartans continued their pursuit for a goal. Mario Arrocha would get in on the action with a great shot that was saved again by Husa. Despite dominating the first half, the Spartans weren't able to capitalize on their 12 shots.
 
Going into the half, the Spartans had a total of 12 shots and 5 shots on goal. This is the most shots the Spartans have had in the first half all season. Thanks to the Spartan defense, Luca Bulfon was able to relax in the first half as he did not record a save.
 
After the halftime break, the Spartan attack continued where they left off. Pol Monells dribbled in space and shot to the top right corner of the net but the shot was just barely saved by Husa. After the first 15 minutes of the second half, things seemed to even out as the shots and opportunities dropped for both sides. 
 
In the last 10 minutes of the match, things began to heat up with both teams seeking a conference win. On one of Gardner-Webb's few attempts on goal, Jorge Salagdo passed the ball to Pedro Benito who had an awkward shot on goal that hit the side post and bounced in for the game winning goal with three minutes remaining in the match. The Spartans had one last attempt on goal with a corner kick, but it was not enough as the comeback fell short.
 
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STATS OF THE MATCH
  • The Spartans out shot Gardner-Webb 21-5 overall in the match and 7-2 with shots on target.
  • Luca Bulfon recorded 1 save.
  • The Spartans attempted 11 corner kicks in the match.
  • 3 yellow cards were issued in this matchup
 
NEXT UP
 
  • The USC Upstate Men's soccer team will back in action at County University Soccer Stadium this Saturday against Longwood University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
 
Follow USC Upstate Men's soccer on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateMSoccer), Instagram (@upstatespartans) and YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics).
 
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