Box Score (PDF)

Charleston, S.C. – Fueled by first half goals from Kenzie Major and Shauna Kain, the USC Upstate women's soccer game won its second straight game with a 2-1 victory at Charleston Southern Friday afternoon from Blackbaud Stadium.

USC Upstate (3-4-2) came out firing in the first half and registered three shots in the opening seven minutes of play to immediately put pressure on the Charleston Southern defense. Major was responsible for Upstate's first shot of the game as she fired a header towards the net, but her shot in the fourth minute sailed wide right and out of harm's way.

Freshman midfielder Mollie Waters nearly put Upstate ahead in the sixth minute when her shot hit the post and deflected back into the field of play. Seconds later, however, Major made her second shot count by netting her first career goal to put the Spartans ahead 1-0 in the seventh minute. Major controlled a cross from senior Rachel Carr and fired a one-timer into the upper right corner of the Buccaneers' net.

Just over 10 minutes later, Kain capitalized on a free kick opportunity and scored her first career goal to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage. Following a foul on Charleston Southern, Waters delivered a pass into the Buccaneers' box that was touched ahead by sophomore Haley Gethin to a streaking Kain who blasted a six-yard shot past a diving Dana McLaughlin.

Charleston Southern (3-4-1) cut the Upstate lead in half in the 80th minute when Allison Lewis notched her first goal of the season following a shot from just outside the Spartans' box. Buccaneer midfielder Jane Vardzel came inches away from scoring the equalizer with just minutes remaining in the match, but her shot on goal hit off the post and back into play where the Upstate defense was able to secure possession.

Spartan senior keeper Sarah Plantz picked up the win after recording eight saves, three of which came in the final 10 minutes of play. Plantz, who was honored as last week's A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, has allowed just five goals in 670 minutes of action and owns an 0.67 goals against average.

USC Upstate returns to action Sept. 28 when the Spartans travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to open conference play against ETSU.  

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