Benito's Goal Helps Gardner-Webb Top USC Upstate, 1-0, On Tuesday Night

Tuesday, October 8

Spartanburg, SC

7:00 PM

Gardner-Webb University

6-4-1, 3-0-0

USC Upstate

2-8-0, 0-3-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Gardner-Webb	0	1	1
USC Upstate	0	0	0

Photo by: © Tim Cowie | GWUPhotos.com

Benito's Goal Helps Gardner-Webb Top USC Upstate, 1-0, On Tuesday Night

October 08, 2019 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)@GWUsoccer

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb took only five shots in 90 minutes, but Pedro Benito made one count in the 88^th minute to help Gardner-Webb defeat the USC Upstate Spartans, 1-0, in Big South Conference action Tuesday night.

Gardner-Webb (6-4-1, 3-0 Big South) took all five of its attempts in the second half and placed two on goal. In addition to Benito's attempt, the Runnin' Bulldogs', leading goal scorer, Oskar Wang also put a shot on target. Wang's attempt came in the 80^th minute, eight minutes prior to Benito's.

Benito's shot in the 88^th minute hit off USC Upstate goalkeeper Luca Bulfon and trickled into the net as Bulfon was unable to grasp the ball with both hands. Jorge Salgado and Abel Gebrekiros were credited with assists on Benito's fourth goal of the season, which is tied with Salgado for second on the team.

"We didn't get many chances tonight and struggled to get the ball into our attacking third," said head coach Tony Setzer. "All it takes is one opportunity though, and Pedro made the most of his late in the match. It's always good to get a win on the road, so we're happy to leave with a positive result."

USC Upstate (2-8-0, 0-3-0 Big South) kept Gardner-Webb's Daniel Husa busy in the net. The Spartans attempted 21 shots in 90 minutes and placed 7-of-21 on target. Husa recorded his second shutout of the 2019 season as he stopped all seven of the Spartans' attempts on goal, including five in the first 90 minutes.

The Runnin' Bulldogs earned three corners in the match, one in the first half and two in the final 45 minutes of action. Gardner-Webb's corner kicks in the second half came in the 61^st and 83^rd minutes respectively.

Despite the fact that USC Upstate had 11 corners on the night, the Runnin' Bulldogs' back line limited Upstate's chances off the corners.

The Runnin' Bulldogs defense kept the Spartans' attack in check late in the match, limiting USC Upstate to just five attempts in the final 25 minutes with only one being on target. Following Benito's goal, the Spartans put together a frenzied charge in an attempt to equalize in the final two minutes.

Justin Hynes got a shot off with 26 seconds remaining, which was USC Upstate's best opportunity of the night. Husa, who was steady in goal all night and now stands 5-4-1 overall this season, made his seventh and final save of the night to preserve the win for Gardner-Webb.

With their winning streak now at two matches, the Runnin' Bulldogs will prepare for Saturday's matchup with the High Point Panthers. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. from Greene-Harbison Stadium.