Winthrop soccer roundup: Eagle women nick late win at S.C. State
Taylor Coleman knocked in the game-winner in the second period of overtime to lift the Winthrop women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over South Carolina State Friday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Throughout the first half both teams traded shots but neither could find the back of the net. The Eagles’ Samantha Prytulak was able to get behind the S.C. State backline for several stabs at goal but couldn’t connect.
The second half was a very physical, hard-fought battle as both teams sought a game winner. The Eagles nearly took the lead in the 56th minute when Coleman nearly slipped one in but a Bulldog defender booted it out right off the line at the last second, saving a goal. Once again Austin made a huge save when Kelly ripped a 75th minute shot on goal.
Winthrop’s Karly Gustafson made an incredible save in the 83rd minute when the Bulldogs took a shot on goal. The game shifted South Carolina State’s way when Justine Zepeda scored what appeared to be a game winner in the 87th minute firing off the post and into the goal, sneaking past Gustafson. However, in the 90th minute, former Clover standout Prytulak was finally able to find the back of the net for a late equalizer on the rebound after several blocked shots.
Both teams had several chances in the first 10-minute period of overtime but neither could capitalize on their opportunities. In the second overtime period Gustafson produced a game saving grab with only a few minutes left in the match. Former Northwestern standout Lauren Watts crossed a ball in in the 119th minute to Coleman for the game winning goal.
Winthrop, 2-2-1, will return to Rock Hill to open a three match home-stand that starts with East Tennessee State, Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Eagle Field beginning at 7 p.m.
For the latest information on Winthrop women's soccer, follow @WUWOMENSSOCCER on Twitter or go to www.winthropeagles.com.
Men fall on the roat at Charlotte, 3-2
Winthrop allowed three second half goals in a span of four and a half minutes during a 3-2 loss to Charlotte Friday evening at Transamerica Field in men's soccer action.
The Eagles dropped their fourth straight and fell to 1-4 on the year, while Charlotte evens its record to 2-2. Winthrop will look to end its losing streak on Wednesday, Sept. 16 when it travels to Spartanburg to take on USC Upstate at 7 p.m.
Each team had its chances in the first half but the Eagles struck first in the 42nd minute when they were awarded a penalty kick. Senior defender Jordi Lluch stepped up and converted the penalty for his fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead for the Eagles just before the half.
Charlotte tied the match in the 51st minute when Brandt Bronico beat Hector Fernandez on a free kick from about 25 yards out. That sparked a span of three goals in a four and a half minute span to take a 3-1 lead. The 49ers took a 2-1 lead when Harrison Steadman scored in front of the goal after being set up by Bronico and then Kyle Parker put them in front 3-1 on a header.
Winthrop fought back to make it a one-goal game in the 61st minute when Max Hasenstab scored his first goal of the season when he received a through ball from Magnus Thorsson and proceeded to dribble the goalie and place the ball into the open net.
Fernandez finished with three saves on the night while Austin Pack earned the win in goal for the 49ers and finished with two saves. Charlotte had a 15-9 advantage in shots.
This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 10:57 AM with the headline "Winthrop soccer roundup: Eagle women nick late win at S.C. State."