SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate men's soccer took to the home pitch for the first time this season on Saturday night, and despite firing off a season-high 12 shots, fell to the visiting Georgia State Panthers 2-1. After three tough matchups to start off the season, the Spartans sit at 0-3-0 while Georgia State improves to 2-1-0.
Upstate's 12 shots on the night are more than the Spartans recorded in the first two matches combined. Seven of those shots reached the target, which is also more than the first two matches combined.
"I think tonight's performance was a huge improvement from our first two games of the season. I think we took a lot from our first two losses and the guys worked hard this week, and it showed on the field," said head coach Scott Halkett. "What cost us the game was the little details. Two little mistakes that led to goals. These are the things we've spoken to the guys about, telling them if we want to be a good team and get the close wins, those are the things that make the difference. I'm disappointed with the result, but I'm really happy with the performance tonight."
Georgia State struck first in the 28th minute when Ethan Sassine beat Upstate keeper Luca Bulfon low to the right for a 1-0 lead. The Spartans attempted to find the equalizer late in the frame when Javier Torres got a head on a corner kick in the 39th minute, but sailed it high. Just a few minutes after that, Justin Hynes headed another corner kick, but it was scooped up by the Panther keeper.
The Panthers doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Matthew Fearnley connected on a free kick for a hard strike to the top right corner.
Ten minutes later, Jeremy Montero went down in the box while driving in, and the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick while the Georgia State keeper received a yellow card. Mario Arrocha converted on the penalty kick to score Upstate's first goal of the season and cut the deficit in half in the 67th minute.
The Spartans outshot the Panthers in the second half, firing off nine shots in an aggressive attempt to even up the match. Neither team held an advantage in corners as both the Spartans and Panthers took five each in the match.
Xavi Wences and Alvaro Martin each earned their first collegiate start Saturday night, and Carson Hickok made his collegiate debut when he subbed in for the final eight minutes of the match.
Luca Bulfon made seven saves in goal, which was one save shy of tying a career-high.
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans head back out on the road next week as they travel to the coast for a matchup against College of Charleston on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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