Spartans, Patriots Battle to 1-1 Draw
Post-Match Interview (Kayli Moore & Sarah Plantz)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Kayli Moore (Severna Park, Md.) notched her first collegiate goal and USC Upstate keeper Sarah Plantz (Cartersville, Ga.) tallied a career-high nine saves as Upstate and Francis Marion battled to a draw on Sunday afternoon at County University Soccer Stadium.
In the 41st-minute, the Spartans had a pair of scoring opportunities and would not be denied. Michelle Calmeyn’s (Elk Grove, Ill.) shot from inside the box was saved by FMU goalie Lauren Vetock. However, the ball squirted away from Vetock and Moore was there to put the Spartans in front 1-0.
“I am very pleased with our possession today,” said head coach Renee Lopez. “We looked to attack very well as a team and also defended as a team. The girls played their hearts out for 110 minutes and only had one error. I am pleased at how our team is coming along thus far.”
Upstate had a chance to go in front 2-0 less than 50 seconds later, but Courtney Mack’s (St. Leonard, Md.) shot was denied by Vetock.
In the second half, the Patriots attempted a total of 10 shots and in the 89th-minute, Elizabeth Asare scored the equalizer as she raced down the middle of the field and beat Plantz to the lower right corner of the goal.
In the 99th-minute, Mack’s attempt at a golden goal was snagged out of the air by Vetock, forcing another 10-minute period.
FMU again went on the attack as it attempted five shots in the final 10 minutes of play, with one shot on-goal. With just eight seconds remaining, after a failed clear by the Patriots, Mack had one last crack at it, but her shot from the top of the box sailed wide right and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Patriots tallied 21 shots in the match, with 10 shots on-goal, while the Spartans totaled 10 shots and four on target. FMU also led the way in corner kicks, 8-3.
The Spartans were called for 15 fouls and one offsides penalty, while FMU committed seven fouls and were whistled offsides twice.
Upstate will return to action this weekend when it travels to Charleston, S.C., for a pair of games in the Citadel/Nike Classic. The Spartans will face The Citadel on Friday at 5 p.m. and Charleston Southern on Sunday at 3 p.m.
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