Hatters Keep A-Sun Hopes Alive with Scoreless Draw

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Needing either a win or a tie to stay alive for an Atlantic Sun Tournament berth, Stetson men's soccer earned the latter as the Hatters battled USC Upstate to a scoreless draw on Wednesday at County University Stadium.

The Hatters (4-8-2 overall, 0-3-1 A-Sun) now need a win in the season finale against Lipscomb on Oct. 31 and some help in order to qualify for next month's tournament. Stetson trails Jacksonville by two points for the fifth and final tournament spot, and is three points behind fourth-place Upstate (5-4-1, 1-1-1).

In a match featuring the A-Sun's top goal scorers in Stetson's Lucas Diniz (9) and Upstate's Gordon Wild (14), offense was almost non-existent. Stetson failed to record a shot in the first half, and the teams combined for just four shots on-goal in 110 minutes of action.

"It's a little ironic that neither team scored," said Stetson head coach Ernie Yarborough. "We shut down a prolific attack tonight. Lucas didn't have very many chances of his own, but he did help us get some chances. We need to be very proud that we shut them down."

Upstate had 10 shots for the match, but just one of those was on-goal. Half of Stetson's six shots made it to the keeper.

Stetson was able to manufacture two good chances during overtime, but couldn't cash in. Jeppe Moe had an opportunity win the game three minutes into the second overtime, but Upstate goalkeeper Hassan Haddad made an outstanding save on a point-blank shot to keep the game scoreless.

"That was one of the best saves I've ever seen," said Yarborough.

David Caulfield's header with less than four minutes to play was just wide.

Haddad made three saves for Upstate while Stetson keeper Paul Ladwig stopped one shot.

Stetson next hosts St. Leo. 7 p.m., Monday at the Athletic Training Center, before closing the regular-season against Lipscomb on Oct. 31. That match will likely determine Stetson's post-season fate.

"The best thing we can do is go out and prepare ourselves to play Lipscomb," said Yarborough. "We have to control what we can and hope for the best."

--SU--

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Players Mentioned

#29 Paul Ladwig: GK; 6' 1"; Freshman

#26 David Caulfield: D; 6' 3"; Freshman

#10 Lucas Diniz: MF; 6' 0"; Junior

#2 Jeppe Moe: D; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#29 Paul Ladwig
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: GK

#26 David Caulfield
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: D

#10 Lucas Diniz
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MF

#2 Jeppe Moe
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: D

Stetson University Athletics

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Hatters Keep A-Sun Hopes Alive with Scoreless Draw

Players Mentioned

#29 Paul Ladwig

#26 David Caulfield

#10 Lucas Diniz

#2 Jeppe Moe

Players Mentioned

#29 Paul Ladwig

#26 David Caulfield

#10 Lucas Diniz

#2 Jeppe Moe