DeLAND---Lucas Diniz scored on a penalty kick with just over 90 seconds remaining in the second overtime to lift Stetson to a 3-2 win over Atlantic Sun Conference foe USC Upstate, Saturday at the Athletic Training Center.
Diniz's goal – his second PK score of the match – was a fitting end to a wild affair which saw three players disqualified via red card and a total of nine cards issued overall.
The winning opportunity came when Stetson freshman Jared Huber was fouled on the outer edge of the goalkeeper's box. Diniz calmly sank the opportunity, easily getting a shot past Upstate reserve keeper Jack Rubin, who was in the game because starting keeper Hassan Haddad was red-carded late in the first half.
Stetson(6-5-2, 3-1-0) trailed early when Upstate's Marvin Scmiege scored off an assist by Joe Brinckwith in the 28th minute. The Hatters responded in the 39th minute when Cohen scored on a free kick from a yard outside the box.
With the match tied 1-1 and Upstate down a man, the Hatters made it a 2-1 affair less than 30 seconds before halftime when Diniz scored the first of his penalty kick goals.
Upstate (2-8-1, 0-3-0) got a boost just moments after Stetson's David Caulfield was disqualified after receiving his second yellow card. Schmiege scored the equalizer off an assist by Leon Schwarzer, tying the game at 2-2.
With less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, Stetson's Bernardo Carabelli was whistled for a red card, putting Stetson down a man. Both teams headed to overtime shorthanded with the Hatters fielding just nine players.
Both teams had several opportunities in the overtime periods, but neither came close to scoring until Diniz won the game.
The Spartans out-shot the Hatters, 21-15. Stetson keeper Paul ladwig made six saves.
The Hatters return to action when they host Jacksonville 7 p.m., Friday.
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