Lucas Kelly Scores With Three Seconds Left as High Point Men Beat USC Upstate 2-1

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — High Point University men’s soccer produced one of its most dramatic finishes of the season Friday night, scoring twice in the final eight minutes to defeat USC Upstate 2-1 in Big South Conference play. Lucas Kelly struck the winner with only three seconds remaining, completing a comeback that extended the Panthers’ winning streak to six matches.

High Point trailed from the 16th minute, when USC Upstate scored the opening goal. The Panthers were unable to equalize before halftime despite creating several opportunities. Aidan Morrison put a shot on target late in the first half, but the Spartans’ goalkeeper preserved the 1-0 lead.

The deficit persisted deep into the second half. Then, in the 83rd minute, Daniel Lugo received a pass from Noah Behrmann and scored his conference-leading 10th goal of the season. That goal changed the complexion of the match and gave High Point a chance to chase all three points rather than settle for a draw.

The decisive play came in the final seconds. Behrmann sent the ball into the penalty area, Nick Sarantakos supplied the setup and Kelly finished with a first-time strike. It was Kelly’s first goal for High Point and arrived almost at the final whistle. The Panthers’ athletics department said it was the program’s first victory on a goal in the closing seconds since 2017.

The result improved High Point to 8-3-1 overall and 4-0 in Big South competition. USC Upstate fell to 4-9 and 2-2 in league play. For the Panthers, the victory was significant beyond its dramatic timing: maintaining an unbeaten conference record gives the team valuable leverage in the race for the regular-season title.

Kelly said afterward that the team had challenged itself at halftime to respond more assertively, according to High Point’s postgame account. That message showed in the final stretch, when the Panthers refused to allow the early goal to define the night.

High Point will look to sustain the six-match run as the Big South schedule continues. The late winner offers a reminder that a game can turn quickly when a team continues creating chances, even after nearly 90 minutes without a lead.