ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Spartans got back to winning ways as they took a break from Big South conference play and downed the Bulldogs of South Carolina State 5-0 on Wednesday night. USC Upstate improves its overall record to 8-4-3 on the season before coming home to resume conference play, hosting Winthrop on Saturday night.  

Upstate got an early jump on the Bulldogs, putting two away in the first half. Ashley Finn put the Spartans on the board, gathering her third goal of the season, while Emily Sanders received credit for the assist. Freshman, Emily Rangel extended the Spartans' lead before halftime with her first goal of the season. With Rangel's goal, Upstate went into halftime with a 2-0 lead which is the seventh time this season that Upstate has held a lead going into halftime.  

The Spartans came out of the break looking to put a comeback out of reach for the Bulldogs. Dara Russo helped the cause with the first goal in the second half, which was assisted yet again by Emily Sanders. Senior, Alaina McKnight notched her second goal of the season to make the game 4-0 with some help from fellow goal scorer, Emily Rangle. Sydney Thomas put the nail in the coffin with her third goal of the season after a pass from Nya Baccelli, who was credited with her second assist of the season.  

 
   
Game Information   
Score: Upstate 5, S.C. State 0 
Records: USC Upstate (8-4-3; 5-2-0 Big South); South Carolina State (1-16)   
Location: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium | Orangeburg, S.C.  
   
Notable  

• Upstate earned its sixth shutout of the season.  

• Caitlyn Davis appeared in her third game of the season after subbing in for Cora Brendle. 

• Brendle and Davis earned their second combined shutout on the season with the first being against Hampton. 

• Dara Russo continues to lead Upstate with six goals and 12 total points.  

• This is the second game that Sydney Thomas and Ashley Finn have both put away goals, with the first game being against UNC Asheville.  

• Tonight's win was the fourth win Upstate has had over S.C. State; this is the third consecutive win over the Bulldogs. 

• Emily Sanders earned her third and fourth assists against S.C. State; this is the second game Sanders earned two assists with the first time being against Longwood. 

UP Next for the Spartans   
The Spartans will return home to host Big South competitor Winthrop and honor its graduating seniors on Saturday, October 22nd with senior recognition at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.  
   

JOIN UP   
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!   

GET INVOLVED     

Want to be a ball kid for USC Upstate Soccer? Kids ages 10 and up can help the Spartans all season long by retrieving game balls on the sidelines during home men's and women's soccer matches at County-University Soccer Stadium. Click here for more details.     

   
   
Keep UP with the Spartans   
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics   
Twitter | @UpstateWSoccer   
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer   
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans