VMI Drops Hard Fought 1-0 Decision to Conference-Leading Winthrop

Men's Soccer VMIKeydets.com

VMI Drops Hard Fought 1-0 Decision to Conference-Leading Winthrop

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- VMI managed to slow down the nation's second-highest scoring team, limiting the Winthrop Eagles to just one goal. However, the Keydets were unable to net the equalizer as they dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Winthrop University on Saturday night at Winthrop Soccer Complex. Winthrop scored in the 13th minute in what would prove to be the game-winner, as the Eagles picked up their tenth win of the season.

Winthrop ups their mark to 10-1-2 on the season, and a perfect 4-0 in the Big South. The Keydets fall to 2-9-1, and 0-4 in conference play.

The potent Winthrop Eagles offense was in full-force against the Keydets, as they fired off 26 shots in the game marking the second-highest shot total for a VMI opponent this season. But the Keydet defense was able to limit the Eagles to just one goal, thanks in large to Thomas Upton's career-high 12 saves.

The lone goal of the match came in the 13th minute when Winthrop junior midfielder Sean Weron put home a shot from 22-yards out after an Eagles cross attempt caromed off a VMI defender. The goal was Weron's first of the season.

VMI had its best scoring opportunity in the second half when senior forward Charles Nweke fired a shot into an open net, only to see a Winthrop defender slide in to knock away the apparent goal.

Nweke and fellow senior Parker Thurman provided the offensive charge for VMI, combining for five of the Keydets six shots in the game.

In the contest, Winthrop held the distinct advantage in shots (26-6) and corner kicks (13-2). The Eagles have now defeated four Big South opponents by a combined score of 14-4.

Despite his career day, Upton took the loss for VMI dropping his record to 2-3-1 on the year. Winthrop's Patrick Mitrovich recorded four saves in net for the Eagles, and picked up his fifth shutout of the season.

VMI next travels to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on Atlantic Sun opponent Gardner-Webb University (3-5-3) at Varsity Field on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The Keydets only other A-Sun opponent this season was Campbell, whom they defeated 2-1 earlier this year. It will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.

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