SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jan Maldonado's first career brace wasn't enough in this evening's match as the Radford men's soccer program fell 3-2 to USC Upstate at County University Soccer Stadium. 
 
KEY STATS 

• Maldonado recorded a career game high with his two goals today. He has now scored more goals this season than any other in his collegiate career. 

• Joep de Bruin bagged his first assist of the season after Maldonado's second goal of the evening. 

  
PLAY BY PLAY 

The first half of today's fixture was a defensive one as both team's defenses shined in limiting the opposing attackers. Alex Eydelman would record four saves for himself to hold off the Spartans, but USC Upstate would finally break through the Highlander defense at the 44th minute to take a 1-0 lead right before the end of the half. 

The Spartans would extend their lead by two after adding a goal in the 60th minute.

The Highlanders would finally respond with a goal of their own thanks to an incredible upper 90 shot by Jan Maldonado that would cut the Spartans lead to one at the 64th minute.

Maldonado would secure his brace in the 77th minute after sending a rocket past the keeper to make it a 2-2 game.

However, in the 89th minute, USC Upstate was able to secure a set piece just outside the penalty area and an open Spartan was able to just slide one past keeper Eydelman for USC Upstate to walk away with the 3-2 win over Radford.


HEAD COACH BARRETT QUOTABLE
"I am so proud of these guys and how they never stop playing hard for each other. This was a disappointing loss. To come back to 2-2 on two great goals by Jan was incredible but not unexpected. We were going for the win and hit the post to go up 3-2 with a couple minutes to go. A really unlucky goal off a free kick to lose in the last minutes. I feel so bad for our guys because they never quit and showed true Highlander Pride once again today. I know we will continue to work hard in training in order to get the results we deserve in the coming games." - Chris Barrett

AROUND THE BIG SOUTH 

• Gardner-Webb hosts Presbyterian tonight at 7:30 PM  

• Winthrop will face off against UNC Asheville tonight at 7:30 PM 

UP NEXT 

The Highlanders will return home to Tom Lillard Field at Cupp Stadium for a conference fixture against UNC Asheville on Saturday, October 19th. That game is set for a 3 PM start time and will be streamed on ESPN+ 

FOLLOW RADFORD MEN'S SOCCER 
For more information on the Radford men's soccer team, follow @RadfordMSOC on X and Instagram or Radford Men's Soccer on Facebook.