CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian (6-6-5) secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Radford (2-10-3) in a back-and-forth Big South Conference matchup on Saturday evening at Martin Stadium. The Blue Hose extended their unbeaten streak to two matches while dealing the Highlanders their third consecutive loss.
The scoring opened in the 22nd minute when Radford's Lukas Kuca found the back of the net with a low strike. Presbyterian equalized through Gabe Carvalho in the 60th minute, with AJ Acree providing the assist. The Blue Hose took the lead in the 70th minute as Iragi Kalala converted from an Aloni Elfu setup. Thomas Stofring extended Presbyterian's advantage in the 79th minute, benefiting from combination play between Bryce Burdette and Steven Cordova. Radford's Kenshin Akimoto pulled one back in the 88th minute off Gianluca Franco's assist, but the comeback fell short.
The first half saw Radford controlling much of the early possession, generating six corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes. Max Falconer tested the Radford defense with a shot in the 41st minute, while Jayce Pagano responded with an attempt for the Highlanders in the 12th minute. The physical nature of the match was evident early, with Fukai Imamura and Tyler Pulik both receiving yellow cards for Radford before halftime.
The second half brought increased offensive pressure from Presbyterian, with Alessandro Libertucci forcing a save in the 51st minute. The Blue Hose made tactical adjustments around the hour mark, bringing on fresh legs that would prove decisive in their comeback. Radford's defensive unit, anchored by Hiromasa Iwai, faced mounting pressure as Presbyterian pushed forward in search of goals.
Final statistics reflected the competitive nature of the match, with Presbyterian outshooting Radford 11-7, including a 4-5 edge in shots on target. The Blue Hose dominated the corner kick count 9-2, while the teams combined for eight yellow cards in a physical contest. Radford accumulated six cautions to Presbyterian's two, highlighting the intense nature of the conference rivalry.
Individual performances shaped the outcome, with Presbyterian's Thomas Stofring proving influential in the attacking third. Radford's Lukas Kuca showed his offensive prowess with his early goal, while Sam Amyx provided steady midfield presence before being substituted in the 76th minute. Both goalkeepers were tested throughout, with Presbyterian's netminder recording three saves to Radford's one.
Presbyterian's tactical approach emphasized width and quick transitions, particularly effective in the second half when they scored twice in a nine-minute span. Radford's strategy focused on set-piece opportunities, evident in their early corner kick accumulation, though they struggled to maintain possession as the match progressed.
The victory strengthens Presbyterian's mid-table position in the Big South Conference, while Radford's struggles continue in what has been a challenging season. The Blue Hose showed resilience in overcoming an early deficit, while the Highlanders demonstrated fighting spirit with their late goal despite ultimately falling short.
Presbyterian looks to build on this momentum when they travel to Longwood on October 31, while Radford aims to snap their losing streak when they host USC Upstate on November 1. The match showcased both teams' competitive spirit, with Presbyterian's second-half execution proving the difference in a closely contested affair.