Box Score
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ROCK HILL, SC— Adam Brundle's goal in the 87^th minute lifted the Winthrop men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over USC Upstate, Tuesday evening at Eagle Field.

The Eagles rallied from a goal down to score two goals in the second half as they even their record on the season to 4-4. With the loss, Upstate falls to 2-5-1 on the year.

Winthrop applied pressure offensively over the final 15 minutes of the match and it paid off as Isern's cross found Brundle running on and he connected on a half-volley from 10 yards out as the ball was laced to the lower left corner.

The halftime speech must have worked as the Eagles responded quickly in the second half with a goal in the 48^th minute. The Eagles continue to create chances off set pieces as Josh Mort's throw-in was flicked on to the back post by Kyle Kennedy as Alex Isern ran on and his one-touch shot found the back of the net from six-yards out. It was the second goal of the year for Isern and the first collegiate assist by Kennedy.

“I didn't think we played our best game,” said Winthrop head coach Rich Posipanko. “USC Upstate was very well organized defensively and very hard to break down and play against. We're looking forward getting into conference play this weekend.”

Upstate used the counter for the first lead of the game after the Eagles lost the ball off a free kick about 30 yards out. Tevin Gage collected the ball and drilled a through ball to Dylan Hoop as he raced free to goal and beat Tom Banfield in the lower right corner for his third goal of the season.

Winthrop threatened to score early on as Alex Isern was sent free behind the Upstate defense but as he closed in on the ball near the top of the 18-yard box the Spartans keeper Dani Alvarado closed the angle. Isern tried to maneuver around for a shot and eventually dribbled back out of the box and tried to chip the ball to the far right corner, but it just sailed over the bar. That occurred two minutes prior to the first goal of the match by Upstate.

Isern threatened again in the 14^th minute as the Eagles looked to tie the match. Isern dribbled the ball in the box toward the touch line, and from an angle to the keeper's right. The senior midfielder ripped a left footed shot that was saved but Alvarado gave up a rebound and the Spartans defense was there to clear the ball away.

Banfield finished the game with five saves while Alvarado finished with six. Winthrop held a 13-8 advantage in shots and corner kicks were even at five apiece.  

Winthrop hits the road once again as it heads to Asheville, NC this weekend for its next contest to take on UNC Asheville in the Eagles Big South Conference opener. The game will be played on Saturday, Sept. 29 with a noon kickoff.