SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's soccer team made a short trip to USC Upstate on Wednesday night for the third Big South Conference contest of the season, managing to blank their South Carolina rival in the second half but ending with a 4-1 defeat.
Second-year striker
Maddi Merryweather scored for the second match in a row after also connecting against Gardner-Webb seven days back, representing the only goal of the second period from either side in the 49
th minute.
Against an opponent who won the Big South Championship two years ago and finished as the runner-up last fall, PC was able to apply strong defensive pressure after the break and quiet a high-powered offense at the midway point.
The Blue Hose will play two matches at Martin Stadium next week, taking a non-conference detour this Tuesday versus South Carolina State at 7:00 before then facing Charleston Southern on October 3.
FINAL SCORE: USC Upstate, 4 – Presbyterian, 1
RECORDS: Presbyterian (2-6-1, 0-3)…USC Upstate (7-2-3, 3-0)
LOCATION: County University Soccer Stadium (Spartanburg, S.C.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- USC Upstate produced four goals from four different players in the opening half, building a sizable lead in the 12
th, 16
th, and 27
th minutes. They'd then add a penalty kick with 43 seconds left in the period.
- Merryweather wasted little time after intermission to get Presby on the board, receiving a short pass from
Emilia Lieber to score her third career goal against a Big South opponent.
- The Spartans dispersed 22 shots over the course of Wednesday's match, creating nine on-target attempts and building 11 corner kick opportunities.
- Freshman keeper
Alexa Garcia logged the full 90 (as did
Sydney Stoner,
Cassidy Oldham,
Peyton Michael, and
Lyla Chadd), saving five shots.
- Chadd participated in her 59
th consecutive match after spending 72 minutes against Gardner-Webb, putting her one game away from a significant milestone.
- Wednesday served as a return of sorts for sophomore forward
Maddie Smith, a transfer who played her freshman year with the Spartans. She charted 59 minutes.
