RADFORD, Va. — USC Upstate and Radford played to a 0-0 stalemate on Saturday, extending both teams' struggles in NCAA Division I soccer. The Highlanders (2-10-4) and Spartans (4-10-3) combined for limited offensive efficiency despite multiple scoring opportunities throughout the match, leaving both squads searching for breakthrough performances as the season winds down.
USC Upstate dominated possession and created the better chances, recording 11 shot attempts compared to Radford's five. The visiting Spartans generated four shots on goal, including efforts from Jacob Cromedy in the first half and Oskar Kaufmann in the second half, but neither team could find the back of the net. Radford's defense held firm when necessary, though the Highlanders managed only two shots on goal in their defensive approach.
The first half remained tightly contested with neither side establishing clear control. USC Upstate's Jacob Cromedy fired high in the ninth minute, then again sailed another attempt wide left in the 17th minute. Radford responded with limited attacking play, with Devin Conway's low shot in the 36th minute representing the home team's best early opportunity. Disciplinary issues emerged as Kevin Habibelahy and Jayce Pagano each received yellow cards for unsporting conduct.
Radford made early adjustments, substituting out Anton Jerga and Fukai Imamura before halftime while also removing Kevin Habibelahy in the 28th minute. USC Upstate countered with a substitution of Justin Vallejo in the 34th minute. These changes failed to spark either offense as the teams entered intermission deadlocked at 0-0.
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