Men's Soccer 10/31/2018 9:30:00 PM

RADFORD EARNS NO. 2 SEED IN BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT WITH 3-1 WIN AT USC UPSTATE

BOX SCORE Follow @RadfordMSoccer

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Radford men's soccer team finished the regular season strong, earning a 3-1 victory against USC Upstate at County University Soccer Stadium on Wednesday night.

With the win in Spartanburg and several other results around the conference going their way, the Highlanders (7-8, 5-3 Big South) secured the No. 2 seed in the 2018 Big South Championship and will have a bye in the quarterfinals. Radford will host the winner of No. 3 Presbyterian College and No. 6 Longwood on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

The match began with a frantic pace as both sides looked to cement their spot in the postseason. Radford came close to jumping out in front several times over, including a shot off the post by freshman forward Amadou Macky Diop in the fifth minute, but couldn't quite hit the back of the net.

It was Diop who finally found the breakthrough in the 38^th minute as well. After a USC Upstate (3-12-1, 3-4-1) turnover, freshman defender Thure Ilgner sent a long ball forward to redshirt freshman midfielder Patrick Siczek. Siczek raced down the right flank and played a ball into the box for Diop who buried the finish.

Just two minutes later in the 40^th minute, the roles were reversed as Diop provided for Siczek. The Spartans nearly cut out Diop's through ball, but it still got to Siczek who fired a beautiful strike into the side netting for his first career goal.

Despite their best efforts, the Spartans couldn't keep Radford at bay in the second half either and the Highlanders extended their lead. Diop added another assist to his ledger in the 54^th minute as he found senior forward Khori Bennett across the field for his third goal of the season.

The Highlanders saw out the match from there, keeping the pressure on the USC Upstate defense while allowing just one goal on the night. Radford finished with a 21-to-16 lead in shots taken including a dominating 12-to-4 advantage in shots on goal.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

And here's a beauty of a strike from Patrick Siczek - the first career goal for the redshirt freshman midfielder! pic.twitter.com/ODi8kTHtoi
— Radford Men's Soccer (@RadfordMSOC) November 1, 2018

COMING UP CLUTCH
Radford has won each of its last four regular season finales by a combined score of 12-3.

2018: 3-1 at USC Upstate
2017: 4-2 at Liberty
2016: 3-0 at UNC Asheville
2015: 2-0 at No. 21 Elon

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH
Longwood 3, Campbell 0
Gardner-Webb 2, UNC Asheville 1 (OT)
High Point 1, Presbyterian 0

UP NEXT
Radford will welcome the winner of No. 3 Presbyterian College and No. 6 Longwood to Cupp Stadium next Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the Big South Semifinals.

FOLLOW MEN'S SOCCER
For more information on the Radford men's soccer team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordMSoccer on Twitter, 'radfordmsoccer' Instagram or Radford Men's Soccer on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Patrick Siczek: MF; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Khori Bennett: M; 6' 0"; Senior

#8 Thure Ilgner: D; 6' 5"; Freshman

#12 Amadou Macky Diop: F; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#25 Patrick Siczek
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: MF

#10 Khori Bennett
: 6' 0"; Senior
: M

#8 Thure Ilgner
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: D

#12 Amadou Macky Diop
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: F