CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina men's soccer team picked up its first win of the season by defeating the USC Upstate Spartans, 2-1, on Thursday night.

Junior Doug Hainer's game-winning freekick in the 72^nd minute gave the Chants their first-ever win at the new CCU Soccer Complex.

Coastal looked to get on the scoreboard in the sixth minute when Jason Kemble spun around the Spartans defender to get off a pass to Kaito Ueki, but the transfer senior pulled his shot just wide to keep the score at 0-0.

The Chants continued to threaten the USC Upstate defense when Loed Klaasen and Evan Howard linked up on a quick passing exchange, but Klaasen's shot rattled the crossbar to hold the score at 0-0.

CCU finally broke through in the 21^st minute when Howard smashed the ball into the top of the net off an assist from Anton Bjarkason and Doug Hainer.

The Spartans answered back in the 41^st minute when Adrian Panaite's shot was palmed away by Coastal keeper Nathan Schnur, but only as far as Dzenan Cerimagic, who flicked the ball into the net to equalize the score at 1-1.

CCU dominated the first frame, outshooting the Spartans 14-3.

At the beginning of the second half Deryn Armstrong took back-to-back shots on-goal in the 48^th and 50^th minutes, but they were both met by the hands of USC Upstate keeper Cooper Jennings to keep the score level at one goal apiece.

CCU kept knocking at the door in the 59^th minute when Howard forced a point-blank save and Hainer challenged the keeper again five minutes later with a long-range attempt, but Jennings held strong to keep the Chants at bay.

The Chants' relentless attack finally paid off in the 72^nd minute when Klaasen was taken down just outside the box. Hainer stepped up to take the freekick and belted the ball into the top left corner to put CCU up 2-1.

In the 86th minute, USC Upstate threatened to equalize on a freekick attempt of its own, but Schnur made a full-extension diving save to dismiss the danger and give CCU the 2-1 win.

The Chants will be back at the CCU Soccer Complex on Sept. 9 to take on Presbyterian at 7 p.m. ET.

 For complete coverage of CCU men's soccer, follow the Chants on social media at @CoastalMSoccer (X), Facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.