Greenville, S.C. – USC Upstate rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to forge a 2-2 draw versus Furman in non-conference women's soccer Thursday night on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium.
The Paladins took the early lead at the 4:20 mark when
Norah Roller received a pass from
Bri Pinasco and fired a shot under Upstate's Hannah Wilt to open the scoring. Less than two minute later, Roller raced down the left wing, cut inside two defenders, and slid a shot by a diving Wilt to double the lead at the 6:07 mark.
Furman outshot the Spartans 15-1 over the opening 45 minutes and had numerous chances to increase its lead, including a one-versus-one breakaway by Roller that grazed the outside of the left post, but the Paladins were forced to settle for the two-goal lead entering halftime.
USC Upstate (3-2-2) capitalized on Furman's missed chances as Giulia Altomare headed in a Jasmyn Mitchner cross at the near post just 32 seconds into the second half. The Spartans continued to apply pressure to the Furman defense and leveled the match at 77:05 when Mitchner laced a shot into the right-side of the goal off a pass from Liana Bryant for her fourth goal of the season.
Furman's
Reese DeJong pushed a goalbound shot by Annabelle Wunderlich over the bar in the 83
rd minute and Wilt denied Pinasco by tipping a shot over the cross bar in the 86
th minute. The Paladins' late VAR challenge for a handball in the box was denied leaving the match knotted at 2-2.
"Our team got off to a great start tonight, but, unfortunately, the missed chances cost us in the end," said Paladin head coach
Andrew Burr. "USC Upstate is a good team that has beaten some good teams this season. You've got to take advantage of the chances when they come. We're appreciative of all the fan support we had tonight and hope everyone will come back to support us on Sunday."
Furman finished with a 19-5 advantage in total shots and 10-4 edge in shots on goal. DeJong recorded two saves for the Paladins while Wilt stopped eight shots.
The 46
th minute goal snapped Furman's shutout streak at 459:20. The Paladins, who are unbeaten in their last five outings, had not allowed a goal since the opening half at South Carolina on August 23.
Furman (5-2-1) continues its homestand on Sunday when it hosts Davidson for Senior Day. Kickoff on Seagraves Field at Stone Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and admission is free.
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