November 3, 2006

Greenwood, S.C. - USC Upstate's dominant run in NCAA Division II men's soccer came to an end Friday when Limestone advanced to the Southeast Regional championship match by defeating the Spartans 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Bearcat Field. The match is recorded as a 0-0 tie with the Saints advancing in the shootout.

USC Upstate ends its season with a 12-3-3 record. Limestone (13-2-6) advances to face Queens, which claimed a 2-1 shootout victory over Lander, Sunday afternoon at 1:00.

Neither team scored in regulation or the two overtime periods, sending the match into the penalty kick shootout to decide who would advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

USC Upstate goalkeeper Ryan Cooper saved Limestone's opening shot and Carter Ridgeway gave the Spartans the 1-0 advantage with his goal. However, USC Upstate missed its next two chances, one on a save by Limestone keeper Ryan Robinson. With Limestone leading 2-1 in the shootout, Cooper made another diving save to keep the Spartans in the match. Nick Buxton stepped up and put his shot away to draw USC Upstate even at 2-2. Ali Benson, the fifth and final Saint to take a penalty kick shot, put the ball into the left corner of the goal. Robinson then made a diving save of Saul Stoner's shot and Limestone advanced to Sunday's second round match.

Cooper turned in another solid match in goal for the Spartans, recording his eighth shutout of the season. He recorded three saves in the match and had total command of the box. His counterpart, Robinson, made eight saves on the day, not including the penalty kick shootout shots.

USC Upstate and Limestone battled back and forth in the first half and the Spartans took control of the contest in the second period. USC Upstate outshot Limestone 22-8 for the match, including 5-0 in the overtime period. However, the Spartans could not finish its opportunities as the game was sent to the shootout.

USC Upstate is moving its athletics program to NCAA Division I status and will become a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference next year. The men's soccer team has made 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 16 years as a member of NCAA Division II and advanced to the national championship match in 1995 and 1998. The Spartans have won eight regular season Peach Belt Conference championships and nine league tournament titles.