Tuesday's MatchUP
October 4, 2022 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (4-3-3, 2-1-0 Big South) vs. Radford (6-1-4, 2-0-1 Big South)
Cupp Stadium | Radford, Va.
Live Stats: radfordathletics.com
*Live Stats Only*
How They Stack Up
USC Upstate sits 2-1 in the Big South after downing the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College 1-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Radford sits 2-0-1 in the Big South after they beat Winthrop 2-0 on the road on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Both teams have notched wins over Presbyterian this season as well.
Series History
The Spartans and the Highlanders had their first match up back in 2008 when the Spartans fell 2-0 at home. Upstate trails the overall series 7-1 with their most recent meeting resulting in Upstate's first win over Radford in program history. Junior captain Ashley Finn had the game winning goal in the 2021 season to lift Upstate to victory while fellow captain Cora Brendle tied her career high of 14 saves.
Players to Watch
Dara Russo continues to lead the Upstate offense with three goals, six points, 30 shots, 13 shots on goal, and two game winning goal. Sydney Thomas also sits in the Spartan rankings with one goal, one assist, three points, 15 shots, nine shots on goal, and one game winning goal. Five other Spartans sit amongst Russo and Thomas for goals (Arnold, Bjarnadottir, Gibson, Ferreira, and McKnight) while nine different Spartans have earned an assist this season (Arnold, Bjarnadottir, Gibson, Thomas, Baccelli, Baer, de Barros, Jackson, and Listenbee).
Alaina McKnight, Cora Brendle, and Ashley Finn have started all nine matches for USC Upstate. Brendle has racked up almost 884 minutes in goal for the Spartans, recording 41 saves and three shutouts. Freshman, Catarina Bastos, and transfer, Emily Sanders, have worked their way into the Spartans back line and have started eight games.
Russo sits in the Big South rankings for shots (2nd), game winning goals (3rd), and shots on goal (8th). Natasha Ferreira is also ranked for game winning goals (10th). Brendle joins them in the ranks for goals against average (1st), shutouts per game (2nd), saves (4th), and saves per-game (6th).
Last Match
Upstate most recently hosted the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Wednesday evening at County University Soccer Stadium. Russo notched her third goal of the season in the 22nd minute of play, securing the 1-0 win for Upstate and her second game winning goal of the season. Sydney Thomas also had an impressive game, recording five shots all on goal. A strong defensive performance from the Upstate back line and four saves from Cora Brendle helped Upstate earn its fourth shutout of the season.
Radford earned its second Big South win of the season with a 2-0 win over Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Kat Parris stole the show for the Highlanders as she scored both goals before halftime to down the Eagles. Jordan Phillips tallied three saves, earning her second shutout of the season.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans will come home from Virginia and take on Longwood at County University Soccer Stadium at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th as one of the family weekend events.
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
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