CLINTON, SC— Matt Stinson's goal in the 88th minute lifted Winthrop to a 1-0 victory over Presbyterian College, ending a four-game losing streak.
The Eagles knocked on the door all game long and finally broke through as Nick Kowalski played a through ball on to Stinson, who then hit a one-touch shot by the goalkeeper from about eight yards out. The goal is the first for the Eagles in over 447 minutes. Winthrop is now 3-5 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.
Both teams managed quite a few scoring opportunities, but the Eagles were able to break through first. Winthrop's Tom Banfield made his first collegiate start and came up big on several occasions as he made eight saves to earn the shutout. Andrew Wallingford took the loss for the Blue Hose as he made 10 saves.
The game-winning goal came just seconds after Presbyterian College nearly scored on the other end. Harrison Russell took a pass and beat Eagle defender Josh Mort on the outside. Russell dribbled the ball toward the goal and into the penalty area before he tried to squeeze one past Banfield from a tough angle, but was denied. Winthrop cleared the ball away and finally found the back of the net after a four-game scoreless drought.
The Blue Hose (1-5-1) had a good opportunity to take the lead after a scoreless first half as Davis Orders found himself running onto a bouncing ball down the middle of the field in the 49th minute. Banfield ran out to the ball, but Orders got there first and tried to chip the ball over Banfield. However, the shot just went over the crossbar. Under 15 minutes to play, Presbyterian College had two solid chances to score. In the 77th minute, Orders had another chance as he found himself wide open inside the 18-yard box at an angle. Orders went straight to goal and ripped a shot low, but Banfield made the save. Less than a minute after that, Thomas Palma had a free header from around eight yards out off a corner kick that just missed the top right corner.
Winthrop's best chance in the second half before Stinson's goal came in the 64th minute when Adam Skonicki flicked a ball with his head to Josh Goldstein, who was wide open in front of the net. Goldstein tried to one touch the ball by Wallingford, but didn't get much on it and the save was made cleanly. Another golden opportunity came in the 60th minute when a cross from Mort found Skonicki at the near post, but his redirection of the ball sailed just over the top left corner from six yards out.
Despite a 0-0 score after 45 minutes, there were plenty of chances for both teams to get on the scoreboard. Mort made the defensive play of the game as he just got his foot on a shot by Stephen Glover that hit the post and Winthrop was able to clear. The shot from Glover came off a rebound after Banfield made a save near post off the foot of Orders.
The Eagles finished with a 24-17 advantage in shots and had six corner kicks.
Winthrop returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Spartanburg, SC to take on Wofford College at 7 p.m. The Eagles return home on Wednesday, Oct. 6 when they hosts High Point at 7 p.m.
