Heartbreak in Double Overtime

Saturday, March 27

Spartanburg, S.C.

2:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

0-4-1, 0-4-1

UNC Asheville

1-5-0, 1-5-0

UNC Asheville

USC Upstate

3/27/2021 5:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On a cloudy and overcast day at County University Soccer Stadium the USC Upstate Spartans fell 2-1 to UNC Asheville in double overtime.

UNC Asheville (1-5-0 Big South) got off to a hot start offensively with four shots in the first nine minutes of the game. The Bulldogs had a few more opportunities early in the game, but were called offside with 12:32 in the period. A pair of corner kicks and a shot attempt by Gillian Oyos ended yet another offensive pursuit by UNC Asheville.

At the 22:48 mark of the first period, Ashley Finn (Wake Forest, N.C.) generated the first shot attempt by the USC Upstate (0-4-1 Big South) offense. Following a barrage of shots by UNC Asheville the Spartans offense was once again on the attack.

Following a corner kick opportunity by the Spartans, Natalie Loyd (Wake Forest, N.C.) found Jane Bossler (Reading, Pa.) in the 18-yard box. A back heel kick by the sophomore midfielder put the Spartans ahead 1-0 at the 32-minute mark of the game.

With just two minutes to go in the period, Maya Gutman found Courtney McCluskey for the equalizer for UNC Asheville.

Throughout the second half both sides had numerous opportunities to break the 1-1 deadlock. On each occasion, the opposing team goalie stepped up and made the save. One save in particular hurt the Spartans as Cora Brendle (Boiling Springs, S.C.) came up injured after a collision in the goalie box. Haylee Grudzien (York, S.C.) came in relief and made a save in the second half.

In the 84^th minute of the contest, Jayna Tyler (Brooksville, Fla.) had a great shot opportunity and missed wide left. In the final three minutes of the period, the Bulldogs had a pair of corner kicks but the Spartans defense stood strong and forced the game to overtime.

In the first overtime period both squads had corner kick opportunities but neither side could convert. The match appeared to be heading for a tie but in the final two minutes of the contest, Gillian Oyos scored in the 108^th minute to hand USC Upstate the loss.

The USC Upstate women's soccer team will be back in action this coming Wednesday night at County University Soccer Stadium as they take on Presbyterian College. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.
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