SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Spartans were eager to get another win in conference play as they returned home to take on Charleston Southern. Upstate went down by two in the first half and pushed the remaining 45 minutes, but came out unlucky, taking its first loss of conference play.  

Charleston Southern challenged Upstate early, claiming the first two shots of the game before scoring their first goal in the eighth minute of play. Ashley Finn was quick to respond with a shot before CSU would notch another three shots. The Bucs extended their lead with a goal in the 44th minute to make the game 2-0 just before halftime.  

Upstate came out of halftime firing on all cylinders. Dara Russo and Sydney Thomas had one a piece within the first ten minutes of the half. The Spartans outshot the Bucs 7-6 in the second half, but despite the valiant effort were unable to battle back.  

Following the conclusion of the match, Head coach Sharif Saber said, "Obviously we are disappointed to drop a result at home, especially in conference. After our big win on Wednesday night against High Point, we thought we were going to come out and dominate. We forgot that every team in the Big South is quality. We as a program need to grow through this and respond on Wednesday versus Presbyterian." 

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

• 3'– Elin Persson (CSU) fired the first shot for the Bucs who looked to get on the board early.  

• 4'- Jenea Knight (CSU) claimed her first shot of the game but sailed the shot over the cross bar.  

• 9'- Erin Rush (CSU) directed a header to the low, far corner of the net off a cross from Jenea Knight to make Upstate trail 1-0.  

• 44'- A foul by USC Upstate gives a free kick to CSU outside the 18-yard-box. Daniela Contreras finds Elin Persson running towards the front post. Perrson one-touches the kick to the front post to make the game 2-0. 

• At halftime, Upstate trailed CSU in shots (10-2) and corner kicks (3-1) and was tied for saves (1-1).  

• 48'- Dara Russo (UPST) claims the first shot of the second half but hits it just over the cross bar.  

• 56'- Sydney Thomas (UPST) fires a shot to the center of the CSU goal, but Sara Curtis (CSU) is able to make the save. 

• 85'- Bri Robinson (CSU) tries to get a late goal on the Spartans but Cora Brendle makes her final save of the match.  

• At the final whistle, Upstate trailed CSU in shots (16-9) and shots on goal (5-3) while being tied for corner kicks (3-3) and saves (3-3). 

Notable  

• Upstate now sits fourth in the Big South with a 1-1 record 

• The Spartans are now 3-2 for conference matches with Charleston Southern  

• Upstate also went 1-1 to start conference play in the 2021 season  

 
UP Next for the Spartans   
Upstate will stay home to host Presbyterian College on Wed., September 28th at 7:00 p.m. before making the trek to Virginia to play Radford on Sat., October 1st at 6:00 p.m. 
   
   

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