CHARLESTON, S.C. — The USC Upstate women's soccer team played The Citadel to a 1-1 stalemate on Tuesday afternoon in Charleston, S.C.
Senior midfielder Abbie Ellis (Clemmons, N.C.) assisted on the Spartans only goal of the match. The assist gave Ellis the school's All-Time points record with 54. Sophomore goalkeeper Logan Pace (Belmont, N.C.) broke the school record for saves in a game with 15 saves against the Bulldogs. This is the second time this season Pace has reset her career high in saves.
In the opening half of play the Spartans offense got off to a quick start and earned back-to-back corner kicks in the first two minutes of the game. Although they did not come away with a goal the offense asserted themselves early against the Bulldogs.
The Citadel then countered over the next several moments with corner kicks and a few shots on goal. Pace stood strong and saved three shots in the first 15 minutes of action. Moments later The Citadel sent a barrage of shot against the Spartans defense but USC Upstate held strong and kept the game scoreless going into the 24th minute of action.
After a pair of substitutions the Spartans began to make a run on the offensive side of the pitch. Ellis took a shot that bounced off the crossbar and found the foot of Emma Honis (Ocoee, Fla.) who fired it past The Citadel goalkeeper for the opening goal of the game. For Honis this goal gives her a team leading three goals on the season.
The Bulldogs attempted to tie the game on numerous occasions but Pace and the Spartans defense held strong the remainder of the half. Pace ended the opening half with 8 saves and despite being outshot 12-5 the Spartans went into the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.
In the opening 15 minutes of the second half the two teams battled to a stalemate with each side taking shots on the others goal. Then in the 78th minute Suzuka Yosue passed the ball to Ani Ford who scored the equalizing goal for the Bulldogs. With the score tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation the Spartans headed to their second overtime match of the season.
In the first overtime period the Spartans took control and recorded three total shots in the ten minute period. Out of those three shots two of them were on goal but neither were able to find the back of the net as the teams headed to a second overtime period.
In the second overtime period USC Upstate forward Jane Bossler's shot was saved 53 seconds into the period. Five minutes later the Spartans had a chance to score again off a corner kick but could not convert as the shot went wide. In the 107th minute of action Pace saved her 15th shot of the afternoon to set the school record for saves in a game.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
· Emma Honis led the Spartans offense with four total shots and two shots on goal. Ellis was second on the team with a trio of shots and a pair of shots on goal.
· Yosue led the Bulldogs offense with eight total shots and a pair of shots on goal. Hannah Roth finished second on the team with five saves and a pair of shots on goal.
NEXT UP:
· The Spartans return home this Friday to take on the Wofford Terriers under the lights at County University Soccer Stadium.
Follow USC Upstate Women's soccer on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateWSoccer), Instagram (@upstatespartans) and YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics).
