SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With the official start of the regular season just two days away, the USC Upstate women’s soccer team got in some last minute work as they made the short trip down Pine Street and came away with a 3-0 victory over Converse College at Hayden Abney Fulp Field.

"Our girls played a solid 30 minutes of soccer today, but as we go forward we are looking for a full 90 minutes," said Lopez.  "I was pleased with how we adapted in the second 30 minute period of the exhibition, especially with our different midfield combinations.  I feel overall we had a good preseason and I look forward to the regular season beginning on Friday afternoon.”

Wednesday’s match began the same way as last Friday’s exhibition did, with Erika Kotterer (Orland Hills, Ill./Carl Sandburg HS) putting the Spartans on the board first.  Kotterer was assisted on the goal by Julia Harris (Simpsonville, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist College).

Upstate’s second goal of the match came off the foot of Gabrielle Fennell (Easley, S.C./Gardner-Webb).  The scoring chance for the Spartans was started when freshman Jessica Jackyra (Cary, N.C./Apex HS) stole the ball away from a Converse midfielder and quickly pushed it ahead to Ashlee Barrow (Fishkill, N.Y./John Jay HS).  Barrow followed Jackyra’s pass with a quick pass to Fennell for the second goal of the match.

Upstate scored just a few minutes later when Ashlee Barrow scored on an assist from Danielle White (Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun HS).  Barrow’s goal set the final tally at 3-0.

Rachel Collins (Raleigh, N.C./Athens Drive HS) got the start in goal for the Spartans on Wednesday.  Collins and teammate Sarah Plantz (Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville HS) combined for the shutout victory over the Valkyries.

Upstate will return to action on Friday when it begins the regular-season with a home match against cross-state rival Charleston Southern.  The match is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. and will take place at the soccer practice fields.