Spartans Open September with South Carolina State, Furman
9/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate women's soccer team opens the month of September with a weekend slate of games against a pair of foes from the state of South Carolina, as the Spartans will travel to South Carolina State Friday at 7 p.m. before hosting Furman Sunday at 2 p.m. from County University Stadium.
Upstate enters the weekend coming off a 1-0 home setback to Presbyterian, as the Blue Hose picked up a goal in the 78th minute and held on for the victory. Eight different Spartans recorded a shot, but Presbyterian keeper Sydney Fontenot tallied three saves to improve to 1-1-0 this season.
Kenzie Major registered one shot against the Blue Hose and enters the weekend third in the Atlantic Sun with 11 total shots. Major is just nine shots shy of the becoming the school's all-time leader during the Division I era.
The Spartans are 1-1-1 all-time against South Carolina State after the two schools played to a scoreless draw last season in the Border Classic Tournament in Boiling Springs, N.C. Friday's match will be the first-ever meeting between the two from Dawson Stadium.
"We're really looking forward to getting back on the field Friday against South Carolina State," head coach Abby Minihan said. "We've had a really good week of practice, and I anticipate a very competitive game between two teams that should be very hungry for a win."
Sunday's match at County University Stadium will be an opportunity for Upstate to secure its first-ever win over Furman, as the Paladins own a 5-0-0 record in the all-time series that dates back to the 2007 season. Last season, Furman posted a 2-0 victory in Greenville, S.C., with goals in the sixth and 50th minute.
"Furman is an outstanding team that has a history of success," Minihan said. "They have already beaten one team from the SEC, so we know that it will be a challenging match, but we are also looking forward to playing a quality opponent at home in front of our fans."
Admission to all USC Upstate women's soccer home games is free.
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