SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's soccer made program history with its 1-0 victory over Winthrop, as it secured its first ever Big South top four finish and secured a spot in the Big South Conference Tournament with one game remaining in the regular season. Upstate women's soccer made it to the Big South Tournament once before back in 2018 after finishing 6th in the regular season. 

Upstate went into the game with history on the line, as they sat second in the Conference with the chance to clench a seat in the tournament before the regular season was even done. Senior Alaina McKnight put Upstate on the board early as she scored in the sixth minute of play. Emily Sanders sent a corner kick to the back corner of the six-yard box where Emily Rangel brought the ball down before McKnight put it into the net. The Spartans held the Eagles scoreless into halftime, allowing Winthrop to only fire one shot in the first 45 minutes.  

Going into the second half, the Spartans knew discipline and heart were required to pull out a win. Upstate kept the pressure on the Eagles defense while remaining connected through the backline. Similar to the first half, the Spartans fired eight shots, testing the Eagles' keeper four times in the second half. Upstate emerged victorious after 90 minutes with McKnight receiving the greatest senior night gift of all.  

Prior to the match, seniors Alaina McKnight and Natasha Ferreira were recognized for their accomplishments during their time at USC Upstate.  

Alaina is a four-year Spartan, graduating with her bachelor's in mathematics with a business and entrepreneurship cognate. During her time as a Spartan, McKnight has appeared in 53 matches, making 52 starts in the backline, totaling 4,536 minutes on the pitch. McKnight has tallied three goals, eight shots and has contributed to 15 shutouts in her career. Off the field, McKnight participated in SAAC and the Charles E. Stavely Math Club. She was escorted by her parents, Steve and Mandi McKnight. Upon her graduation, Alaina plans to attend graduate school to further her education. 

Natasha is a four-year Spartan, graduating with her bachelor's in Political Science with minors in Pre-Law, History, and Philosophy. During her time as a Spartan, Ferreira has appeared in 43 matches, making 29 starts in both the Spartans' defense and midfield, totaling 2,756 minutes on the pitch. Ferreira has tallied one goal and 10 shots. Off the field, Ferreira was involved in SAAC including being this year's Vice President as well as being an Ambassador to the Chancellor, and the Student Government Association Senator. Ferreira was the Magellan Scholar Award recipient and was involved in Phi Alpha Sigma Political Science National Honor Society. She is escorted by her parents, Alessandra and Alex Ferreira. Upon her graduation, Natasha plans to attend graduate school to further her education.  

Following the victory tonight head coach Sharif Saber said, " Genuinely I could not be prouder of my players. They have earned the right in two weeks to compete for the Big South Championship through all their selflessness, dedication and hard work. I could not be more proud of this group. For now, we need to focus on a very good Gardner Webb team on the road."  

  
    
Game Information    
Score: Upstate 1, Winthrop 0 
Records: USC Upstate (9-4-3; 6-2-0 Big South); Winthrop (4-8-2; 1-6-1 Big South)   
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.   
    
How It Happened   

• 2'– Emily Sanders (UPST) claimed the first shot of the game for USC Upstate but Izzy Giarrizzi (WIN) earned her first save of the game as a result.  

• 6'- Emily Sanders (UPST) took the third corner kick of the game for Upstate and found Emily Rangel (UPST) waiting in the box. Rangel took a touch to bring the ball down just before Alaina McKnight (UPST) was able to step in to place the ball in the net.  

• 25'-Cora Brendle (UPST) was brought to half field to take a free kick awarded off a foul in an attempt to load the 18-yard box with Spartan jerseys. Brendle sent a kick deep into the box, causing Giarrizzi (WIN) to make a save.  

• 31'- Lauren Kelly (WIN) recorded the first shot of the game for the Eagles but in turn awards Cora Brendle (UPST) her first save of the match. 

• At halftime, Upstate led Winthrop in shots (8-1) and corners (5-3) while trailing in saves (2-1). 

• 46'- Leah Greene (WIN) gets the first shot of the half for the Eagles but comes up empty as the ball went over the cross bar.  

• 58'- Cora Brendle (UPST) records her second save of the game as Lauren Kelly (WIN) fires a shot low to the center of the net. 

• 62'- Dara Russo (UPST) fires one at Giarrizzi (WIN) at close range, but Giarrizzi makes the save. Russo finds the rebound but the shot is wide right. 

• 65'- Emily Sanders (UPST) fires one to the bottom center of the net but Giarrizzi (WIN) makes the save to keep the game 1-0. 

• 76'- Natasha Ferreira (UPST) looks to get a goal on senior night as well, sending a shot into the top right corner of the net, but Giarrizzi (WIN) is there to make the save. 

• 80'- Brendle (UPST) makes her final save of the game as Bailey Fudala (WIN) sends a shot low and to the center.  

• At the final whistle, Upstate led Winthrop in shots (16-6), shots on goal (7-3), and corner kicks (7-4) while trailing in saves (6-3).  

Notable   

• This is the second straight game Alaina McKnight has scored in.  

• McKnight's goal was the third of the season and her first game winning goal. 

• Cora Brendle started her 16th consecutive match and earned her fifth solo shutout. 

• Emily Sanders earned her fifth assist of the season.  

• Emily Rangel recorded an assist for the second straight game.  

• Upstate had not beaten Winthrop since it first joined the Big South in 2018. 

• Upstate recorded its seventh shutout of the season. 

UP Next for the Spartans   
The Spartans will head to Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night to finish out the regular season before competing in the semi-finals of the Big South Conference Tournament on November 3rd.  
   

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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.     

   
   
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