BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – It took extra time, but USC Upstate men's soccer defeated Gardner-Webb on the road Saturday evening to end the regular-season slate. Pascal Corvino netted the golden goal in the 91st minute to lift the Spartans past the Bulldogs and improve to 6-3-1 (6-1-1 BSC) this season.
Upstate's six conference wins this season are the most in the program's Division I era.
The Spartans had the first two offensive chances in the match as Paul Bobai put a shot on goal five minutes in, and Mario Arrocha tried to convert with a blast on the Bulldog keeper in the 12th minute.
Gardner-Webb would strike first at the 14:20 mark, but less than three minutes later, Arrocha netted the equalizer off a corner kick.
After another Spartan corner kick at 30:28, Pol Monells tried to take the lead for Upstate with a solid shot that was turned away by the Bulldog keeper.
Corvino made one last attempt to take the lead in the first half with a shot on goal in the 42nd minute, and Upstate was outshooting Gardner-Webb 7-2 with a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks after the first 45 minutes of play.
Upstate came out firing in the second half as Monells sailed a shot wide four minutes in, and shortly after, three different Spartans hurled a shot on goal within a span of less than two minutes.
The Spartans went on to completely control the second half, allowing zero shots or corner kicks for the Bulldogs while tallying 12 shots and nine corner kicks of their own in the frame. However, Upstate couldn't capitalize on any chances, and extra time would be needed.
It wouldn't take long, however, as Corvino found the back of the net less than two minutes into the overtime period for the Spartan victory.
Scoring Summary
14' – Gardner-Webb – Kharrel Medza
16' – Upstate – Mario Arrocha
91' – Upstate – Pascal Corvino
Card Summary
75' – Upstate – Javier Torres
83' – Upstate – Hayden Anderson
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans will await the final conference standings and seedings to see who their opponent will be in the semifinals of the Big South Championship, set for Wednesday, April 14 at the location of the higher seed.
Spartans Win Today, You Save Tomorrow!
Save 50% off online orders at Papa John's locations across the Upstate. Use the code USCUP50 when placing online orders the day after Upstate victories. Also tomorrow, visit The Beacon Drive-In located in Spartanburg and show the win graphic posted to the @UpstateSpartans Instagram account to claim a free sweet tea as part of the "Sweet Taste of Victory" promotion. No purchase necessary.
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