SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Playing under the lights at County University Soccer Stadium for the first time in Big South Conference play, USC Upstate women's soccer accomplished something it hadn't in its Division I era as it came away with a momentous victory Saturday night.

Behind a 63^rd minute goal from sophomore forward Ashley Finn and a career-high-tying 14 saves from sophomore goalkeeper Cora Brendle, the Spartans claimed their first victory over Radford since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 2007, snapping an eight-match losing streak to the Highlanders.

Spurring Upstate's victory was its acceptance of the challenge presented by one of the nation's top scoring offenses as the team's backline suffocated Radford's attackers and Brendle bowed her neck between the pipes to generate the Spartans' fourth shutout of the season.

Taking advantage of a key Highlander turnover in the midfield, Upstate's defensive effort led to offense as Finn delivered a strike from distance that sailed past Radford keeper Lauren Seedlock for her sixth goal of the year—her third match-winning goal this season.
 
Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 1, Radford 0
Records: USC Upstate (4-5-1; 1-2-0 Big South); Radford (6-3-1, 0-2-1 Big South)
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
How It Happened

• 3' – Firing a shot from atop the 18-yard box, Radford's Kat Parris delivered the first scoring opportunity for the Highlanders but waiting on the other end of the shot attempt was Upstate's Cora Brendle for the first of her 14 saves.
• 18' – Upstate's first scoring look came in the 18^th minute as Martina Cordova Ulloa delivered a shot attempt from outside the box, sailing towards the upper 90 to force Highlander keeper Lauren Seedlock into action.
• 20' – Spartan Ashley Finn got a great look on frame as she ripped a shot from inside the 18-yard box that struck the right post.
• 30' – Working her way to the top of the box, Radford's Brianna Oliver fired a shot that drew Brendle off her line, as the Spartan keeper splayed for the save.
• 33' – Finding herself inside the 18-yard box, Upstate's Katherine Cunningham fired a quick turn shot, dribbling low left where Seedlock made the save.
• 52' – Pulling Brendle off her line as she made her way atop the box, Highlander Izzy Armstrong rattled a shot that forced the Spartan keeper to use a well-timed knee to avert the shot attempt.
• 63' – Winning the ball off a Radford turnover in the midfield, Finn worked her way into her team's attacking third before taking a shot from long range, catching Seedlock just enough off her line for the ball to sail past the keeper into the back of the net, giving Upstate a one-goal advantage.
• 65' – Looking for a quick answer, Radford's Emily Cardoso probed the 18-yard box, firing a shot that forced Brendle to extend for a save to neutralize the scoring opportunity.
• 77' – Gathering the ball off a deflection, Highlander Reese Degnan ripped a shot from the top of the box as Brendle stood strong against the furious Radford attack to keep the Upstate advantage.
• 82' – Testing Seedlock again from distance, Upstate's Nora Vangsnes delivered a shot attempt from outside the 18-yard box with Seedlock recovering for the save.
• 85' – Winning a second opportunity following a blocked shot, Oliver looked for the equalizer with a well-timed shot. Fortunately for Upstate, Brendle was there and ready to make the strong save.
• 90' – Hoping for a last-second, goal-scoring opportunity, Radford's Kayla Thomas dribbled herself to the top of the 18-yard box, firing a shot towards the post, forcing Brendle to her right for the diving save that cemented Upstate's victory.

 
Notable

• Upstate's victory Saturday night secured the program its first victory over Radford since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 2007. The Spartans entered the evening 0-8 all-time against the Highlanders.
• Pitching her fourth shutout of the season behind a career-high-tying 14 saves, Cora Brendle becomes the first Spartan since Ellen Bright in 2015—two solo shutouts and two combined shutouts—to post four or more shutouts in a season.
• Scoring her sixth goal of the season, Ashley Finn's goal total in 2021 is the highest single-season goal total since Abbie Ellis netted 15 goals in 2018.

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