Box Score Game Stats

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The men’s soccer program swept past the USC Upstate Spartans in a decisive fashion Friday night, defeating the opposition 4-1. Senior midfielder Armin Kinigadner set up three of the goals, earning three assist for the match. Coach Polson’s team recorded their first win of the season in the home debut, giving them a 1-3-1 posting for the season. Upstate falls to a 0-3-2 record with the loss.

Four different Terrier players posted goals to earn the win against the Spartans. Andrew Eppelsheimer, Dennis Moore and Alex Hutchins accounted for their first goals of the season. All of them scored off crosses from Armin Kinigadner.

Wilson Hood, team leader in goals (2), showed his mastery of touch when the senior forward chipped in a goal over the Spartan keeper in the 83rd minute for the final blow to Upstate. The Terriers outshot the Spartans 13 to eight and took the advantage in corner kicks as well, taking six compared to their one.

The Terrier defense fortified the win, especially in the second half, not allowing Upstate any shot attempts. Coach Polson’s marking backs truly shut down the Spartan offensive front, forcing the Spartans to posts blanks in the corners categories, along with the shot attempt blackout.

The men’s soccer team entered the game with an explosive intensity, motivated to improve after being held scoreless throughout the Coastal Carolina/adidas tournament this past weekend. Billy Padula, upheld his reputation as one of the Terrier’s best offensive tactical weapons with two massive throw-ins, back to back in the 9th minute of the game. The second throw-in entered the box and rebounded off an Upstate player to Paulo Bonfim’s feet. Bonfim drilled a shot toward the net, but had the attempt saved by the Spartan’s keeper Jason McCabe.

In the 34th minute, senior captain Randy McLeod made everyone in the stands hold their breath as he used his body to foil an Upstate shot attempt set up off a corner. His save kept the scoreboard clean for the time being.

One of the Terrier’s goal scorers, Eppelsheimer had two blistering shots go high over the top crossbar in the span of five minutes around the 38 minute mark. Another goal scorer, Moore, nearly snuck one in during the 36th minute. McCabe, the Spartan keeper, took possession of the ball and nearly gave up an easy goal as Moore hustled to attack the ball at the goalkeeper’s feet, forcing it to trickle near the goal but too far away to cause damage.

The last five minutes of the half boasted three of the five goals scored throughout the entire game. Kidigadner set up the first goal with a cross from the right wing. Eppelsheimer took possession of the cross, having time to set up a clean shot and blast it in the net for the first goal of the match.
Freshman forward, Dennis Moore, knocked in the first goal of his career a minute later with a play that looked identical as the first goal, just from the left wing.

Just as the Terriers thought they would be able to enter the locker rooms with a 2-0 lead at half time, Upstate retaliates with a goal of their own with 18 seconds left in the half. Erkan Yildrim accounted for the first goal of the season, unassisted. Yildrim took a deflected ball in the middle of the box and snuck it past Andrew Drennan for a goal.

Entering the second half, the first 22 minutes were uneventful until the 23rd minute of the half when Hood dribbled through the box to cross it across the goalies face to Logan Threadgill, but the ball was pushed wide. The next 25 minutes portrayed a heated game, full of fouls and animosity.

Alex Hutchins devastated the opposition with his first season goal, trapping a cross from Kinigadner and setting up a brilliant shot to score the third goal for the Terriers. The goal accounted for Kinigadner’s third assist of the match.

Four minutes later Hood put the final blow in as he took advantage of a pressed up keeper, chipping the ball into the left side-netting. The score gives Hood two goals for the season, putting him on top of the goals scored category for the Terriers.

Coach Polson’s team looks to continue their offensive success in Chapel Hill Tuesday night September 21st, starting at 7:00pm. This will mark the second occasion the Terriers have faced the Tar Heels.

The 2010 Men’s Soccer Media Guide is available online. Be sure to check it out HERE.

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