SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartans fell for the first time this season, dropping the game 1-0 to East Tennessee State University on Sunday night. Upstate battled for the full 90 after being scoreless for 89 minutes at County University Soccer Stadium. USC Upstate now shifts to a 1-1-2 record going into its first road match of the season against The Citadel.
The match started out as a game of possession with both teams sizing up their competition. Upstate claimed the first shot of the match in the ninth minute, courtesy of Lauren Darbo, but ETSU responded less than a minute later with a shot of its own. Senior Alaina McKnight and freshman Catarina Bastos helped the back line stand firm for the Spartans while Cora Brendle tallied two saves in the first half. In the 12th minute of play, Brendle made a crucial save for the Spartans, as a Buc came driving into the 18-yard-box and hit a rocket of a shot that Brendle was able to cradle for a save.
Upstate came right out of the gates in the second half looking to get on the board first. Both Upstate and ETSU kept a revolving door of substitutes, proving how deep their benches really are this early into the season. The Spartans had some shining moments between the 73rd and the 87th minute of play, having six shots compared to the Bucs' two. ETSU would get a breakthrough down the right side of the field, sending a cross to an awaiting Buc who found the net in the 89th minute of play.
Game Information
Score: Upstate 0, ETSU 1
Records: USC Upstate 1-1-2; 0-0-0 Big South); ETSU (1-1-2; 0-0-0 SoCon)
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
How It Happened
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9' – Freshman Lauren Darbo (UPST) recorded the first shot of the match hitting a right-footed shot from outside of the 18-yard-box that was blocked by the Bucs.
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10'- Tayor Limprevil (ETSU) sent a shot over the crossbar from outside the 18-yard-box, giving the Bucs their first shot of the game.
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12'- Selena Wimbish (ETSU) drives into the 18-yard-box with enough time to fire a shot but Cora Brendle (UPST) denies ETSU the goal.
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29'- Madi Hook (ETSU) was able to get up and make contact with the Bucs' corner kick, flicking the ball towards the Upstate goal. Brendle was able to meet the ball in the air with ease keeping the game scoreless.
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At halftime, the game was tied 0-0. Upstate took three shots compared to ETSU's six while having two saves compared to ETSU's 0.
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47'- Sinoxolo Cesane (ETSU) took the first shot of the second half, but the shot was right down the middle and greeted by Brendle (UPST).
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54' & 58'- Freshman Dara Rusos (UPST) claimed the next two shots for the Spartans but Ashton Blair (ETSU) kept Russo out.
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89'- Nele Bauer (ETSU) got a breakaway down the right side of the field, sending in a cross that would find Emma Arnold (ETSU) waiting in the 18-yard-box. Arnold hit a right-footed shot and would get ETSU the win with less than a minute on the clock.
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Upstate led the game in shots (12-11) while ETSU led in shots on goal by one shot (6-5).
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The Spartans and the Bucs both recorded five saves on the night.
Coach's Comments
"Anytime you lose in the last 17 seconds of the game, it's going to be hard. When you look at our performance in the second half, how we came out after halftime, and how we responded to the formation changes; we had three or four golden opportunities to win the match ourselves, and I'm very proud of the team. This group is an amazing group, and they will pull tighter together than ever before. I have no doubts this group will come out flying in their next matchup". -Head coach Sharif Saber
Notable
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate will hit the road to start its road stand, first playing The Citadel in Charleston on Friday, Sept. 2 followed by Furman on Thursday, Sept. 8th, VMI Saturday, Sept. 17th, and High Point on Wednesday, Sept. 21st.
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