CLINTON, S.C. – Behind goals from Jose Lado, Nacho Gallego, and Alex Guzman, the Presbyterian Blue Hose (7-5-3, Big South: 3-3-2) defeated the USC Upstate Spartans (4-9-3, Big South: 2-4-2), 3-2, in an intense and exciting game at Martin Stadium. With the win, the Blue Hose clinched a spot in the Big South Conference Tournament which begins this Sunday, November 7.
 
COACH POTTER'S THOUGHTS ON THE WIN
"It was just incredible to get a win at this time of year, it doesn't matter how it comes you just have to win to keep your season going," Presbyterian coach Jonathan Potter said.  "We were delighted to win on the final day of the regular season to secure a berth in the conference tournament. Hopefully, our boys can keep fighting to extend our season at the tournament."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the 15th minute, the Blue Hose took the early lead after a cross from Guzman found Lado at the top of the box. Lado blasted a shot into the lower right corner of the goal for his first goal of the season.
• In the 55th minute, Presbyterian doubled their score after a great buildup from the back. Nile Nguidjol won the ball in Presbyterian's defensive third. Nguidjol passed the ball to Ndrin Maloku near midfield. Maloku dribbled down the left side of the field toward the left side of the box. Maloku passed the ball across the field to Gallego who blasted a shot just inside the right post giving the Blue Hose a 2-1 lead. Gallego's goal was his second of the season.
• In the 82nd minute, USC Upstate's Mario Arrocha cut Presbyterian's lead in half with a goal off an assist by Felipe Marty.
• In the 85th minute, Presbyterian increased their lead to 3-1. Near midfield, Maloku got the ball off a goal kick from goalkeeper Valentin Kliebe. Maloku passed the ball to Niklas Hoener at midfield who passed the ball to a sprinting Guzman down the right side of the field. USC Upstate's goalkeeper Luca Bulfon came off his line allowing Guzman to chip the ball over his head into the goal for his second goal of the season.
• In the 86th minute, USC Upstate closed out the scoring with a goal from Justin Hynes off an assist by Filippo Censini.

 
NOTES

• Presbyterian goalkeeper Kliebe collected a season-high five saves including several diving saves early in the game.
• The Blue Hose finished the game with nine shots. Maloku collected three shots. Guzman recorded two shots. Gallego, Lado, Nguidjol, and Jaume Rubio each added a shot to the Blue Hose offensive attack.
• For the second straight game, the Blue Hose scored three goals which marked the first time that Presbyterian has scored at least three goals in two consecutive games since the first two games of the Spring 2021 season.
• The Blue Hose have scored 10 goals in their last four Big South Conference games. Presbyterian scored just one goal in their first four Big South Conference games.
• Presbyterian announced a season-high crowd of 257.

 
COACH POTTER'S THOUGHTS ON THE HOME CROWD ATMOSPHERE
 "I thought the game was played with great intensity," Potter said. "We had a great home atmosphere tonight. It was amazing for our student-athletes to see the great support from our home crowd."
 
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose begin Big South Conference Tournament play this Sunday, November 7. Presbyterian's first-round Big South Conference Tournament opponent and the location and time of the game will be announced later this week.