FARMVILLE, Va. — USC Upstate scored twice in the opening 25 minutes and held the Longwood women's soccer team scoreless Saturday, defeating the Lancers 2-0 in Big South action at the Longwood Athletics Complex.
The Spartans (6-2-3, 2-0 Big South) struck in the 10th minute when Jasmyn Mitchner scored off of a corner kick. Cansu Kara and Liana Bryant assisted on her fifth goal of the season. Kara doubled the advantage in the 25th minute with her first goal of the year.
Longwood (3-6-2, 0-2) managed just one shot in the opening half as Upstate took a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Lancers generated three shots after the break but were unable to find the net.
"All things considered, that was a fair result," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer. "Our press was out of sync in the first half and Upstate exposed that with their possession and build up. It's disappointing that we conceded the first goal on a corner kick because we talk a lot about the importance of set pieces. We made some adjustments at the break and were much better in the second half, but we still didn't give their goalkeeper much work to do. Upstate is a talented, well coached group and they were the better team today. All we can do is use the experience and start getting ready for Winthrop at their place."
Madie Wessel made six saves for Longwood, including four in the first half, as the Spartans finished with a 14-4 advantage in shots and a 9-1 edge in shots on goal.
USC Upstate goalkeeper Hannah Wilt stopped Longwood's lone shot on goal to record the shutout.
Ella Searcey recorded Longwood's only shot on target. Meghan Piazza, Phoebe Ganion and Sam Fischer also attempted shots for the Lancers.
The Spartans also held a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Longwood returns to action Wednesday at Winthrop. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
