SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer program said thank you to its four graduating seniors the best way possible, with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Blue Hose of Presbyterian. Upstate advances to a 6-1 Big South record to retain its seat at the top of the Big South with one game remaining in regular season.  

Having the home advantage for the final time this season, the Upstate Spartans were quick to attack the Presbyterian Blue Hose as Dara Russo and Ashley Finn each had a shot in the first four minutes of the game. Paige Armstrong found Russo just outside the top of the 18-yard box; Russo redirected the pass and off one touch played Finn behind the Blue Hose defense. Finn found the lower right corner of the net to score her fourth goal, first game winning goal, of the season. The Spartans weren't done yet as Nya Baccelli put one into the right corner in the ninth minute after Finn redirected a corner kick from Margret Edda Bjarnadottir. With a two-goal lead and plenty of game left to play, Russo extended the Spartans' lead with a third goal in the 20th minute of play after she outran the Blue Hose back line onto a ball from Armstrong sent from the Spartans' half. Presbyterian was able to hold the Spartans' offense at bay for the remainder of the first half. 

Immediately coming out of the break, the Spartans continued their attack on the Blue Hose goal with shots coming from Emily Sanders, Bjarnadottir, and Baccelli within the first 11 minutes of the second half. Presbyterian kept the Spartans scoreless in the second half until the 66th minute of play when Ellie Arnold was able to body a Blue Hose defender to regain possession for the Spartans and find Emily Rangel running to the back post. The Spartans refused to let off the gas, outshooting the Blue Hose 8-2 in the remaining 24 minutes of play. Cora Brendle played the full 90 in the goal for the Spartans, recording three saves on seven shots faced to earn her fifth shutout of the season. At the final whistle, Upstate emerged with its sixth conference victory and its second straight senior night victory.  

Game Information    
Score: USC Upstate 4: Presbyterian 0 
Record: USC Upstate (10-2-4, 6-1-0 Big South) vs. Presbyterian (3-10-2, 2-4-1 Big South) 
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.   

 
How It Happened   

• 3'- Dara Russo (UPST) claimed the first shot of the game but was off target. 

• 8'- Paige Armstrong (UPST) connected with Russo (UPST) in the middle of the field. Russo played a one-touch through ball onto Ashley Finn (UPST) who found the low right corner of the goal.  

• 9'- Margret Edda Bjarnadottir (UPST) sent in a corner kick from the right side of the field, which was redirected by Finn (UPST) and scored by Nya Baccelli (UPST). 

• 19'- Sloan Spees (PC) recorded the first shot of the game for the Blue Hose but was unable to find the back of the net.  

• 20'- Paige Armstrong (UPST) had space in the middle in the Spartans half and found Russo (UPST) running through the Blue Hose backline. Russo went on the find the lower right corner for the third goal of the game.   

• 26'- Cora Brendle (UPST) earned her first save of the game as Reyna Costa (PC) hit one to the top center of the goal.  

• 27'- Brendle (UPST) earned her second save of the half with a shot coming from Lyla Chadd (PC) to the bottom center of the goal.  

• 44'- Rachel Satchell (UPST) claimed the final shot of the second half but her shot was too high.  

• At halftime, Upstate led Presbyterian in shots (9-5) and corner kicks (5-2) while also trailing in saves (3-2).  

• 47'- Kelly Hall (UPST) earned her first save of the half as Emily Sanders (UPST) fired one into the bottom right corner.  

• 54'- Sanders (UPST) once again sent off a shot this time towards the bottom center of the goal but was picked up again by Hall (PC).  

• 66'- Ellie Arnold (UPST) was able to take a ball from a Presbyterian defender and found Emily Rangel (UPST) running to the back post for the finish.  

• 67'- Caitlyn Murphy (PC) recorded the first shot of the second half for the Blue Hose, however the shot was off frame. 

• 84'- Satchell (UPST) gave Hall (PC) her final save of the game with a shot to the bottom right corner. 

• At the end of full time, Upstate led Presbyterian in shots (24-7), shots on goal (13-3), and corner kicks (10-2), but trailed in saves (9-3). 

Notable   

• Dara Russo scored her 12th goal of the season against PC, while Nya Baccelli scored her eighth, Ashley Finn scored her fourth, and Emily Rangel scored her first goal of the season. 

• Russo has scored five goals in Upstate's last four games while Baccelli has scored four in Upstate's last four games.  

• Paige Armstrong earned her seventh assist of the season against PC while Margret Edda Bjarnadottir earned her fifth, Ashley Finn earned her fourth, and Ellie Armstrong earned her second.  

• Upstate had a season-high 10 corner kicks against PC.  

• Upstate has now tied last season's number of conference wins (6) and has the potential to set a new record for most conference wins since joining the Big South (2018). 

Senior Day 

Before the match against Presbyterian, Upstate took some time to honor is four graduating seniors. Kennedy Jackson is a two-year Spartan, graduating with her bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in coaching. During her time as a Spartan, Jackson has appeared in 17 matches, making two game starts. Jackson spent her first two years of college playing soccer at the Georgia Southern University where she appeared in 17 games, making four starts. In her career she accumulated three assists and nine shots on goal. Upon graduation, Kennedy plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in sports management and build her own soccer training business. 

Emily Sanders is a two-year Spartan, graduating on presidential honor roll with her bachelors in criminal justice and a minor in child advocacy. During her time as a Spartan, Sanders has appeared in 32 matches, making 20 game starts. Sanders spent her first three years of college playing soccer at the University of Mount Olive where she appeared in 35 games, making 31 starts. In her career she accumulated five goals, 10 assists, and 34 shots as well as several honors such as NCCSIA All-State First Team, Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team, Conference Carolinas All-Conference Second Team and Big South All-Conference All-Tournament Team. Upon graduation, Emily plans to get her masters in social work and work at a child advocacy center. 

Ashley Finn is a four-year Spartan, graduating with her bachelors of science with a minor in psychology. During her time as a Spartan, Finn has appeared in 54 matches, making 49 starts. In her career, she accumulated 16 goals, four of which were game winning goals, five assists, and 60 shots on goal. She spent her last two seasons serving in a leadership role as one of the captains helping transform the women's soccer program. Finn was named to the Dean's list and the Big South All-Academic team as well as earned an Honorable Mention from the Big South for her performance through the 2022 season. Upon graduation, Ashley plans to attend Barry University to get her masters in human performance and wellness.   

Ellie Arnold is a four-year Spartan, graduating with her bachelors in exercise science with a minor in psychology. During her time as a Spartan, Arnold had appeared in 55 matches, making 31 game starts. In her career, she accumulated two goals, five assists, and 17 shots on goal. She spent her senior season as a captain for the Spartans in what has so far been another historic season. Arnold was named to the dean's list during her four years studying at Upstate for her work off the field. Upon graduation, Ellie plans to get her masters in exercise science while continuing to play college soccer.  

UP Next for the Spartans    
The Spartans are back at home on Saturday afternoon to kick off the Upstate soccer double header with their senior night game against Presbyterian set for a 4:00 p.m. kick off.   

    
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