HIGH POINT, N.C. – USC Upstate men's soccer made the program's first-ever Big South Championship Final appearance Saturday evening as the No. 3 Spartans took on No. 1 High Point for the title at Vert Stadium. Upstate ultimately fell 3-1 in the match as an end to one of the best seasons in the Spartans' Division I era.
"In reflecting on the game, I'm proud of the boys and the effort they put in today. Having been the first time we've made it to the Big South Championship game, it was a big occasion for us. It was a crazy first half, but we played well. We made just a couple mistakes, and High Point is very lethal up front so they took advantage of those mistakes. Congratulations to them for moving on. I think overall they deserved it tonight. I'm proud of where this program has arrived. The guys have set the bar so high this year, and I can't wait for next season to start so we can try for this trophy again," said head coach Scott Halkett.
The Spartans struck first as just over a minute into the match, Filippo Censini sent a long ball up the field to Moss Lewis who beat High Point's keeper Trent Holden from the top left corner of the box for the first goal of the game.
High Point earned a penalty kick less than a minute later, but Felipe Baeza was able to make the save.
Big South Offensive Player of the Year MD Myers received a pass at the top of the box in the 11th minute and was able to beat Baeza in a one-on-one for the equalizer in the 11th minute. Shortly after, Myers struck again when his shot broke though Upstate traffic and beat Baeza over the head for the 2-1 lead.
Mario Arrocha forced Holden to make a diving save with a low strike at 21:59, and he would later set Pol Monells up on a cross for another shot on goal that was scooped up by Holden.
With just under five minutes to go in the first half, Paul Bobai had a solid chance but sailed the shot high. In the final minute of the half, High Point squeaked a goal between Baeza and the post off a corner kick to go up 3-1.
Five minutes into the second half, Arrocha took the ball deep into the box but wasn't able to get the shot off. The Spartans were forced to play a man down the rest of the way after Javier Torres drew a red card at the 62:58 mark.
Upstate had a solid attack with 10 minutes remaining in the match after back-to-back crosses from Censini and Arrocha, but the Spartans could not get a shot off. Lewis mustered up one final chance for the Spartans with just under four minutes to go, but sailed the shot wide right.
Baeza made four saves in goal on the night and earned a spot on the Big South All-Tournament Team. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Censini and Arrocha.
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