Dara Russo
Dara Russo
2
Winner USC Upstate SCUP (5-3-3, 3-1-0)
0
Radford RADW (6-2-4, 2-1-1)
Winner
USC Upstate SCUP
(5-3-3, 3-1-0)
2
Final
0
Radford RADW
(6-2-4, 2-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate SCUP 1 1 2
Radford RADW 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

The Spartans Conquer the Highlanders With a 2-0 Shutout Victory on the Road

RADFORD, VA. – USC Upstate delivered Radford its first conference loss of the season in the form of a 2-0 shutout on Tuesday night in Virginia. Dara Russo and Ashley Finn helped Upstate get the lead while Cora Brendle and the Spartan defense kept the Highlanders scoreless.  

Upstate was challenged early as Radford claimed the first few shots of the game but that didn't stop the Spartans from attacking up the field. Nya Baccelli had the first shot for Upstate but unfortunately was off target. Playing endline-to-endline, the Spartans and Highlanders exchanged offensive opportunities, but it was freshman Dara Russo who found the net in the 36th minute of play with the help of Margret Edda Bjarnadottir. The Spartans held the 1-0 led through to halftime.  

Coming out of halftime, Radford was called for a foul inside the 18-yard box resulting in a penalty kick opportunity. Captain Ashley Finn made the most of the first penalty kick of the year for the Spartans, earning her first goal of the season and putting the Spartans ahead by two goals with 43 minutes of play remaining. In those 43 minutes, Cora Brendle made four saves on nine shots faced while the Upstate back line remained disciplined and connected.  

Following the win head coach Sharif Saber said, "Tonight was another steppingstone for our program and the growth of these young women. They continue to grow both on and off the field. Big shout out to Cora who was a monster in goal for us once again". 

 
   
Game Information   
Score: Upstate 2, Radford 0 
Records: USC Upstate 5-3-3; 3-1-0 Big South); Radford (6-2-4; 2-1-1 Big South)  
Location: Cupp Stadium | Radford, Va.   
   
How It Happened  

  • 7'– Katelyn O'Donnell (RU) recorded the first shot of the game for the Highlanders while Amy Swain (RU) was quick to follow up with a shot of her own. Cora Brendle (UPST notched her first save of the night off of Swain's shot.  

  • 10'- Nya Baccelli (UPST) claimed the first shots of the night for USC Upstate with a shot in the 10th minute of play but sailed the shot over the top left corner. 

  • 24'- Paige Olson (RU) looked to get past Big South Defender of the Week, Cora Brendle with a shot to the top center but Brendle kept Radford off the board. 

  • 36'- Dara Russo (UPST) claimed the first goal of the game and the fourth goal of the season giving Upstate the 1-0 lead.  

  • 45'- The Spartans held the Highlanders scoreless going into halftime.  

  • At halftime, Upstate trailed Radford in shots (7-3) and corner kicks (3-2) and led in saves (4-1).  

  • 47'- Ashley Finn (UPST) capitalizes on a Radford foul inside the 18-yard-box. Finn scores her first goal of the season and the first penalty kick of the season for Upstate. 

  • 53'- Alexeis Kirnos (RU) tried to close the Spartans lead quickly following the second goal but was greeted by Cora Brendle (UPST) who made the save.  

  • 59'- Alexeis Kirnos (RU) records another shot hoping to get past Cora Brendle (UPST) but is unsuccessful as Brendle keeps the game 2-0. 

  • 66'- Russo (UPST) hungry for another fires a shot to the bottom center of the net but Jordan Phillips (RU) makes the save.  

  • 83'- Kat Parris (RU) continued the push from the Highlanders' offense but Cora Brendle (UPST) refused to let Radford get one in. 

  • At the final whistle, Upstate trailed Radford in shots (16-6), shots on goal (8-5), and corner kicks (9-3) while leading in saves (8-3).  

Notable  

  • Dara Russo leads Upstate with four goals, six points, 33 shots, 16 shots on goal, and three game winning goals.  

  • This is the second straight game Dara Russo has scored in. Russo also went three-for-three for shots on target tonight. 

  • Ashley Finn scored not only the first penalty kick this season for USC Upstate but also scored her first goal of the season. Before tonight Finn's most recent goal was in against Hampton in the 2021 season.  

  • Cora Brendle started her 11th game of the season, playing all 90 minutes, making eight saves, and recording her fourth shutout.  

  • Brendle recorded a season high of eight saves surpassing her original season high of six set in the match against App State. 
  • Bjardnadottir notched her second assist of the season on Russo's goal. 

  • This is Upstate's first back-to-back shutout win of the season.  
     

UP Next for the Spartans   
Upstate will return to County University Soccer Stadium to host Longwood University as a part of family weekend on Saturday, October 8th at 4:00 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.     

   
   
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