Box Score
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CONWAY, SC— The short-handed Winthrop men's soccer team fought hard but dropped a 1-0 decision at 10
th-ranked Coastal Carolina, Wednesday evening in Big South Conference action.
With the loss, the Eagles fall below .500 for the first time Sept. 22 and are 6-7 with a 2-3 mark in the league. Coastal Carolina improves to 12-1-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in the Big South.
After a scoreless first half, Coastal Carolina broke the tie with a goal in the 59
th minute. The goal came off a set piece as Uchenna Uzo headed home a corner kick service by Justin Portillo.
Despite Coastal Carolina controlling the better of the attack in the game and having a 14-5 edge in shots (4-1 in shots on goal), the Eagles held the 3
rd-ranked offense to just the one goal. The Chanticleers had scored at least three goals in five straight games
The two teams played to a 0-0 score at the half as Coastal Carolina generated eight shots with three of them on frame while Winthrop was able to generate some offense with three shots and four corners.
Winthrop's
Enrique Miranda got the start in net as he finished with two saves while Coastal's Federico Bertele made one save en route to his fourth shutout on the year.
Winthrop entered the match not knowing if the team's leading scorer
Alex Isern was going to be able to go after suffering through illness the past few days. The Eagles did have to play without starters
Achille Obougou (5 goals, 1 assist), midfielder
Patrick Barnes and substitute
Marc Segarra (5 goals). Winthrop's starting outside backs
Daniel Di Biagio and
Nick Kowalski missed their third straight match with injuries and in the second half
Tomas Brennan had to leave the game with an injury.
This was the fourth straight contest between Coastal Carolina and Winthrop at CCU Soccer Field to be decided by one goal. Winthrop is now 7-12-2 all-time at Coastal Carolina.
This was the third one-goal loss to a nationally ranked opponent this season.
The Eagles return home for their next four contests as they begin the home stand Saturday afternoon versus Liberty at 2 p.m. on Eagle Field.
