Early Miscue Costs Men's Soccer in 1-0 Defeat

Thursday, August 24

Spartanburg, S.C.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

0-1-0, 0-0-0

USC Upstate

1-0-0, 0-0-0

North Florida

USC Upstate

8/24/2023 9:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - North Florida men's soccer (0-1) was not able to rebound from an early mistake as it fell in a tightly contested battle, 1-0, on the road in the season opener at USC Upstate (1-0) Thursday, Aug. 24.

The Ospreys allowed a score within the first five minutes of the game after miscommunication deep on the field. UNF responded with two shots on goal, but both were saved by the Spartans.

GOALS

5' | Adrian Panaite (No assist) - USC Upstate

HOW IT HAPPENED

USC Upstate capitalized to take a the lead in the fifth minute.
Just a few minutes later, Angus Taylor had an opportunity to respond, but the Spartans' keeper made an incredible save on what would've been the equalizer.
Tough defense was shown throughout the rest of the first half, as only three shots combined were attempted, as well as none after the 17th minute.
Chema Preciado picked up his first save of the game, as the Ospreys recorded a couple shots as well to open the second half.
UNF had a few chances late to put up a score, but another shot on goal from Rio Onwumere was saved by USC Upstate, as the Ospreys suffered their first loss of the 2023 season.

RECORDS

North Florida | 0-1
USC Upstate | 1-0

QUICK KICKS

Eight of the 11 Osprey starters on Thursday evening were returners, while the other three were transfers.
Preciado made his collegiate debut with the start in goal as a sophomore during the season opener.
The sophomore also had three saves in the second half on 10 shots faced from the Spartans.
The Ospreys recorded seven total shots, as well as two shots on goal with four corner opportunities.
Taylor and Onwumere were the only UNF players with multiple shot attempts, as well as a shot on goal.

FROM THE MOUTH OF MARINATOS

"We came out a bit tight and gave them a goal in the first five minutes of the game. We faced some early adversity and got off our game plan in the first half and lost our discipline as a group. Credit to the group for responding in the second half with a better mentality, but ultimately we did not score the chances we created and at times gave the ball away too cheaply, which led to some dangerous transitions for Upstate. Also give credit to Upstate for not conceding and defending well enough to prevent us from scoring, as well as out-competing us in some 50-50 balls and creating dangerous transitions. We will learn from this as a group and look to respond against Charleston in our home opener. We have a lot of belief in this group and know they will respond."
-- head coach Derek Marinatos