SECOND HALF SURGE GIVES RADFORD COMEBACK VICTORY

BOX SCORE GAME INFORMATION

Location: Spartanburg, S.C. | County University Stadium
Score: Radford 3, USC Upstate 2
Records: Radford (2-0-0), USC Upstate (0-2-0)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Trailing 2-0 in the second half, the Radford women's soccer team strung together three goals over a span of seven minutes to earn a stellar 3-2 victory against USC Upstate at County University Stadium on Sunday night.

With the win, the Highlanders improve to 2-0-0 and are undefeated through their first two matches since going 4-0-1 to start the 2013 campaign. The Spartans fall to 0-2-0 after losing to Furman on Friday night as well.

Struggling to find a rhythm offensively throughout the first half and for part of the second, sophomore defender Emily Dunn couldn't have scored her first career goal at a better time. The Lanham, Md. native surged up the left side of the field and took a shot from 40 yards out which managed to beat the keeper and cut Upstate's lead in half at the 60-minute mark

The very next shot by the Highlanders resulted in the equalizing goal by junior defender Claire Dundon in the 65th minute. Fellow defender Allyson Giannone played the ball into the box where heavy traffic was waiting, but it took a friendly deflection to Dundon who made it count.

Less than two minutes later, junior midfielder Jasmine Casarez took a hard right-footed shot that was blocked by a defender and bounced over the goal line for a corner kick. Giannone served the corner into the box and found freshman midfielder Gabi Paupst who scored her second goal in as many games.

The Spartans managed to get four shots off in the final 23 minutes of the match with only one landing on target as Radford's back line kept the opposition off the board to secure the win.

It was the 23rd minute before either team broke through, but that breakthrough came from USC Upstate when Abbie Ellis scored on a free kick for her first of the season. The Spartans then doubled their lead right before half when Leah Tyson collected Autumn Gore's cross and finished with her right foot.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Spartans led in shots 17-to-3, but shots on goal were even at six apiece
Freshman Lexi Dean and senior Katie McCormick split time in goal with McCormick subbing on at halftime. Dean made one save and McCormick made three on the night
Casarez led the Highlanders in shots for the second consecutive game with three
Ellis put all three of her shots on target for the Spartans while Isabella Burns led her team in shots with five (two SOG)
USC Upstate goalkeeper Brooke Bailey made three saves, but only one came in the second half

QUOTABLE
"We were very poor in all phases of the game in the first half. We have to be much more focused and motivated at the beginning of the game. In the second half, however, we were very good. Our midfield was so much more active and we showed a lot of character coming back to get the win." – Radford Head Coach Ben Sohrabi

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return home to Cupp Stadium when they welcome the UT Chattanooga Mocs for a 7 p.m. contest on Friday, Aug. 25th. The Mocs will come into Radford with a record of 1-0-1 after defeating Austin Peay, 3-2, and playing to a scoreless draw with Eastern Kentucky on Sunday afternoon.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Jasmine Casarez: MF; 5' 7"; Junior; Legends FC

#8 Claire Dundon: D; 5' 6"; Junior; MatchFit Academy, Copa Academy, NJ Force

#7 Emily Dunn: D; 5' 4"; Sophomore; Maryland United

#4 Allyson Giannone: D; 5' 2"; Sophomore; Beach FC

#32 Katie McCormick: GK; 5' 10"; Senior; Ottawa Fury FC

#25 Lexi Dean: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman; McLane SC

#9 Gabi Paupst: MF; 5' 11"; Freshman; Toronto Blizzard

Players Mentioned

#15 Jasmine Casarez
: 5' 7"; Junior; Legends FC
: MF

#8 Claire Dundon
: 5' 6"; Junior; MatchFit Academy, Copa Academy, NJ Force
: D

#7 Emily Dunn
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; Maryland United
: D

#4 Allyson Giannone
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; Beach FC
: D

#32 Katie McCormick
: 5' 10"; Senior; Ottawa Fury FC
: GK

#25 Lexi Dean
: 5' 7"; Freshman; McLane SC
: GK

#9 Gabi Paupst
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Toronto Blizzard
: MF