WSOC Team
0
Hampton HU (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
3
Winner USC Upstate UPST (1-0-2, 0-0-0)
Hampton HU
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
3
USC Upstate UPST
(1-0-2, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hampton HU 0 0 0
USC Upstate UPST 1 2 3

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Spartans Secure the First Win of the Season With a 3-0 Shutout Victory Over Hampton

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate achieved its first win of the 2022 season with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Hampton Pirates, not only extending its history of wins against Hampton but also advancing its record to 1-0-2 on the season.  

In the 33rd minute of action, Kennedy Jackson dropped a pass back to Marie Listenbee, who found Natasha Ferreira with enough time to launch a ball from outside the 18-yard-box over the Pirates' keeper and drop into the back left corner of the net. For the first time this season, the Spartans went into halftime with the lead.  

Campbell Gibson looked to extend the lead for the Spartans and did just that in the 61st minute of play as Nya Baccelli delivered that opportunity to her. Freshman, Dara Russo put the game out of reach with the first goal of her collegiate career in the 63rd minute. Russo rebounded a touch off Gibson, who was hungry for a second goal, just outside of the 6-yard-box from a cross played by Margret Edda Bjarnadottir from the right side of the field.  
   
   
Game Information   
Score: Upstate 3, Hampton 0 
Records: USC Upstate 1-0-2; 0-0-0 Big South); Hampton (0-1-0; 0-0-0 CAA)  
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.  
   
How It Happened  

  • 6' – Nyle Nwainokpor (HU) got the Pirates started in the first half, claiming the first shot of the game for Hampton but was denied the goal as Big South Defensive Player of the Week, Cora Brendle (UPST) got her first save of the game.  

  • 12'- Upstate began to get chances themselves, responding to Hampton's efforts with a shot from Ashley Finn and Nya Baccelli. 

  • 18'- The Spartans began to put more pressure offensively, firing off seven shots in the next eight minutes. 

  • 33'- Natasha Ferreira found the back left corner of the net after chipping a shot from outside the 18-yard-box over the Pirates' goalkeeper. Marie Listenbee set Ferreira up for the shot while Kennedy Jackson provided the initial pass.  

  • At halftime, Upstate led 1-0 while having 14 shots to Hamptons 3.  

  • 61'- Nya Baccelli (UPST) took off down the right side of the pitch looking for teammates making runs into the box. Baccelli for Campbell Gibson (UPST) crashing into the 18-yard-box; with one tap in Gibson found the back of the net and gave Upstate a 2-0 lead. 

  • 63'- Dara Russo (UPST) was the definition of timing a run as she crashed the back door of Margret Edda Bjarnadottir's (UPST) cross from the right side of the field. Gibson (UPST) got the initial touch off the cross, but it was Russo who picked up the pieces to secure Upstate the win.  

  • Upstate led the game in shots (29-5), shots on goal (12-4), and corner kicks (4-2). 

  • Hampton led the game in saves (9-4).  
      

Coach's Comments 

"The girls are doing tremendous, especially today, as the scoreboard can reflect. We started putting the ball in the back of the net a little bit. I'm extremely proud of the way that we handled the first two matches and now, we're evolving into a little different of a style that we're looking to build on more moving forward". -Head coach Sharif Saber 

Notable  

  • Natasha Ferreira earned the first game-winning goal of her career against the Pirates. 

  • Freshman Caitlyn Davis (GK) saw her first minutes and her first save as a Spartan today and even earned a combined shutout with Cora Brendle.  

  • Last time USC Upstate took 25 or more shots was back in 2007 when the Spartans beat Alabama St. 9-0 and took 27 shots. In today's match, there were 29 shots.  

  • Four Spartans had four or more shots today; Sydney Thomas (4), Kennedy Jackson (4), Nya Baccelli (5), Dara Russo (6).  

  • After today's victory, Upstate continues its undefeated streak with Hampton. 

   
UP Next for the Spartans   
Upstate will conclude its home stand ETSU, Sun. August 28. Following the home series, Upstate will hit the road to play The Citadel in Charleston on Friday, Sept. 2.   
   
   

JOIN UP   
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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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