SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The High Point University men's soccer offense explodes as the Panthers had four different goal scorers to defeat USC Upstate, 4-1, on Saturday night in Spartanburg.
Site: County University Soccer Stadium
Score: High Point 4, USC Upstate 1
Records: High Point (6-2-2, 3-0-0), USC Upstate (1-10-0, 0-3-0)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "We weren't happy with the start, not just because they scored the goal. Just the first eight minutes. We've had such great approaches, great starts, and energy in the last few games. We really had a ton of pride in that and tonight we let ourselves down in that regard and they punished us. But despite that, I love the response and obviously to be able to take care of business and win that game, 4-1, shows a lot about our guys mentally and where we are as a team right now."
The Spartans came out hot scoring a goal to take an early lead in the seventh minute off a header that found the back of the net. High Point battled from behind to create a few chances. The Panthers were quick to answer as
Brendan Krueger netted the equalizer in the 24th minute to bring the game back to all square. Krueger dribbled the ball into the box himself as he had a free lane to fire a shot that the keeper wasn't able to stop.
The Panthers held a 6-1 shot advantage after the first 45 minutes of play. The defense and
Luke Snyder did a great job of responding after the early Spartans goal to hold them to that one shot all half.
The second half saw HPU take the lead just a few minutes into the game in the 49th minute.
Jefferson Amaya sent in a corner to
Ross Johnstone as he headed it in for his third goal of the season to take a 2-1 lead over Upstate
The Panthers started to pour it on as
Celestin Blondel was fouled in the box in the 63rd minute resulting in a penalty kick for the Panthers. Amaya took the kick for HPU as he lasered one to the top left of the net as the keeper dove right. Amaya's first goal of the season extended the Panther lead to two goals.
Alfred Baafi put the Panthers up three in the 68th minute as HPU drove downfield to set themselves up for an open shot. Krueger and
Frankie DeFrancesco were credited with assists as Baafi hammered it home for his third goal of the season.
Snyder made two saves in the second half as the offense overpowered the Spartan defense to help lift the Panthers to its third conference victory to remain undefeated in Big South play.
Up Next: The Panthers will be back home at Vert Stadium for senior night on Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m. against Longwood University.
#GoHPU
