SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate took the field at County University Soccer Stadium on a chilly Wednesday night and left its home turf with another conference win under its belt. The Spartans not only beat the Blue Hose of Presbyterian but did so in the form of their fourth shutout of the season.  

Upstate came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, looking to rebound from its last home performance. Although a Spartan did not claim the first shot of the game, freshman Sydney Thomas claimed the next four shots of the game. Dara Russo got Upstate on the board with her third goal of the season. Natasha Ferreira found Russo on the right side of the field to which Russo broke away from the Blue Hose defense, making a near 35-yard dash up the field before firing a shot to the lower right corner of the net. The Spartans held the Blue Hose scoreless for the remainder of the half as Cora Brendle recorded another two saves.  

Refusing to drop their intensity, the Spartans continued their stride notching four shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Upstate defense was able to keep PC away from their net for the first 20 minutes after half before Hannah Austin fired one over the cross bar. Upstate fired another seven shots and one last save before the final whistle blew.  

Upstate women's soccer dedicated the match against Presbyterian to mental health awareness. The Spartans want to express the importance of taking care of oneself as well as reaching out for help when you need it. Mental health is a subject that has had a stigma around it and it is time to make a change for the better. Help is available. 
   
Game Information   
Score: Upstate 1, Presbyterian 0 
Records: USC Upstate 4-3-3; 2-1-0 Big South); Presbyterian (0-8-3; 0-2-1 Big South)  
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.   
   
How It Happened  

• 9'– Hannah Austin (PC) claimed the first shot of the game for the Blue Hose but was denied a goal by Cora Brendle (UPST) who earned her first save of the night. 

• 10'- Sydney Thomas (UPST) claimed the first shots of the night for USC Upstate as she fired her first shot in the 10th minute and her second shot followed shortly after in the 12th minute.  

• 19'- S.Thomas (UPST) was relentless up top, nothing another two shots in the 19th minute of play, both of which were saved by Mackenzie Azuero (PC) who subbed in for starting goalkeeper Kelly Hall in the 7th minute. 

• 21'- Dara Russo (UPST) makes the game 1-0 in favor of the home team after a 35-yard break away and a well-placed ball into the lower right corner of the net.  

• At halftime, Upstate led PC in shots (8-3) and corner kicks (3-2) and trailed in saves (7-3).  

• 48'- Dara Russo (UPST) is eager to put another one away but sends one just left of the frame.  

• 50'- Ashley Finn (UPST) kept the pressure on Presbyterians defense, recording another shot for Upstate but hitting it over the crossbar.  

• 86'- Ellie Arnold and Dara Russo (UPST) tally back-to-back shots, looking to put the game out of reach for PC but neither sink one into the net. 

• At the final whistle, Upstate led PC in shots (19-7), shots on goal (13-4), and corner kicks (6-2) while trailing in saves (12-4).  

Notable  

• Dara Russo leads Upstate with three goals, six points, 30 shots, 13 shots on goal, and two game winning goals.  

• Russo tied her season high for shots (6) for the third time this season. 

• Cora Brendle earned her third solo shutout of the season; she also holds one combined shutout with Caitlyn Davis 

• Sydney Thomas had a season high of five shots and five shots on goal tonight, surpassing her previous season high of four set against Hampton. 

• Lauren Darbo tied her season high of 90 minutes of play. 

• Upstate had a season high of 13 shots on goal.  
   

UP Next for the Spartans   
Upstate will try to weather the storm and make its way to Virginia to play Radford on Sat., October 1st at 6:00 p.m. 
   
   

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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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