SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Anderson University men's soccer standout Andre Carle led Upward Stars FC during the team's US Open Cup campaign with two goals in two matches, as the Stars defeated Triangle Brigade of the United States Adult Soccer Association in penalty kicks in the first round two weeks ago, but later fell to the United Soccer League's Charlotte Independence last Wednesday in Rock Hill, S.C, eliminating the Stars from the annual tournament.
Carle opened the tournament with an eighth minute goal to put Upward Stars ahead 1-0 over the Brigade last Thursday at the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg. After the Brigade equalized in the 16th minute, the match went back-and-fourth and eventually went into penalty kicks with the score knotted up at 4-4. Upward's goalkeeper Salomon Mocktezuma made three saves in the penalty-kick round to send the Stars into the next round with a 3-1 outcome.
On Wednesday, Carle and the Stars visited Eagle Field on the campus of Winthrop University and saw their tournament run come to a close to the Charlotte Independence. Despite the setback, Carle opened the match's scoring in the 12th minute when he took advantage of a fallen down Charlotte goalkeeper Diego Restrepo and chipped a shot into the back of the net. Despite the goal, the Independence scored four unanswered goals to claim the 4-1 win and advance into the third round of the US Open Cup.
Carle and the rest of the Upward Starts continue play in the National Premier Soccer League throughout the summer, as the team travels throughout the Carolinas.
