WSOC Team 22
1
Winner USC Upstate UPS (3-2-3, 1-0-0)
0
High Point HPU (1-7-2, 0-1-0)
Winner
USC Upstate UPS
(3-2-3, 1-0-0)
1
Final
0
High Point HPU
(1-7-2, 0-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate UPS 1 0 1
High Point HPU 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

The Spartans Cage the Panthers With a 1-0 Win in High Point to Commence Big South Competition

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Upstate came out swinging and finished full time successfully, as an early lead for the Spartans turned into a strong beginning to conference play and a first ever win over High Point University. The Spartans went up 1-0 in the 10th minute of play and then defended relentlessly against the Panthers.  

High Point came out with intensity in the first half, looking to get an early lead over the visiting Spartans. In doing so, Upstate was able to get space and break down the Panthers' defense and drive towards the goal. Ellie Arnold was waiting patiently on the back post just inside the six-yard-box. Arnold ripped a shot which was blocked by the HPU keeper but freshman Sydney Thomas was there to pick of the pieces and score her first career goal 10 minutes into the first half. The Spartans' defense held strong, denying the Panthers' offense a goal in the first half.  

The second half started no different than the first, as High Point played high pressure into the Spartan defense. Upstate remained disciplined, keeping the lines tight, covering their marks, and constantly communicating as High Point tried to find a weak spot in the Spartans game plan. The Spartans' excitement couldn't be contained as the final whistle blew signaling full time and a first ever win over High Point to improve their overall record to 3-2-3 and start their conference record 1-0.  

Following the win, Head coach Sharif Saber said, "Tonight the team showed a tremendous amount of focus and maturity. High Point is a fantastic program and to come home with such a positive start to our Big South schedule is a testament to the character of this group of amazing young women." 

 
   
Game Information   
Score: Upstate 1, High Point 0 
Records: USC Upstate 3-2-3; 1-0-0 Big South); High Point (1-7-2; 0-1-0 Big South)  
Location: Vert Stadium | High Point, N.C.   
   
How It Happened  

  • 1'– Skyler Prillaman (HPU) claims the first shot of the game for HPU but Cora Brendle denies her the goal and notches her first save of the night. 

  • 8'- Prillaman (HPU) looks to get past Brendle again but once more, Brendle collects the save and plays out for Upstate. 

  • 10'- Sydney Thomas (UPST) collects the rebound off Ellie Arnold's shot and send a rocket into the center of the net giving Upstate the 1-0 lead. 

  • 25'- Freshman Dara Russo (UPST) eager to keep her success going fires one just wide right of the HPU net. 

  • '29- Fain Buete (HPU) looks to even the score but is quickly greeted by Brendle (UPST) who shuts down the opportunity. 

  • 45'- Upstate was able to shut out the Panthers' attack for the remainder of the half and went into halftime leading 1-0.  

  • At halftime, Upstate led HPU in saves (3-2) while High Point led in shots (7-4) and corners (3-2). 

  • 48'- Megan Garmey (HPU) nails one off the post looking to tie the gam quickly into the second half.  

  • 71'- Brendle (UPST) earned her last two saves of the game as Leah Malone (HPU) and Alex Murphy (HPU) had back-to-back shots.  

  • Upstate led High Point in saves (5-2) while trailing in shots (13-5), shots on goal (5-3), and corners (5-4).  

Notable  

  • Sydney Thomas earned her first career goal; Thomas earned her first career assist last week during the game against VMI  

  • Ellie Arnold notched her first assist of the season, the fourth assist of her career 

  • Upstate went into the game 0-5 with High Point in the overall series 

  • Cora Brendle started her eighth straight game and played the full 90 minutes in the goal today, making five saves 

  • This was Brendle's second individual shutout of the season; her first was against App State while having a combined shutout with Davis in the game against Hampton 

   
UP Next for the Spartans   
Upstate will come home to Spartanburg to host Charleston Southern University on Sat., September 24th at 4:00 p.m. at County University Soccer Stadium.   
   
   

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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