HIGH POINT, N.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer program extended its conference record to 4-0 after an impressive 1-0 victory on the road against High Point. Margret Edda Bjarnadottir scored her third game winning goal in the first half to give the Spartans the lead while a defensive effort from the team kept the Panthers scoreless until the final whistle.  

With both USC Upstate and High Point sitting near the top of Big South standings going into the match, both teams knew they would have to be ready for a battle. The Spartans found themselves on their heels at the beginning of the first half, as the Panthers rattled off three shots in the first three minutes of play. Despite the offensive push from the Panthers, the Spartans remained composed and were able to find more opportunities to build into the final third. Ashley Finn was able to take space towards the sideline, but was quickly pressured by High Points defenders. Finn found Hailey Sapinoro supporting underneath her with time and space. Sapinoro took her time and was able to find Margret Edda Bjarnadottir running into the back post for the tap in goal. Bjarnadottir's goal gave the Spartans a one goal lead, that would stand through to the half time break.  

Coming out of the break, Upstate continued its offensive efforts, looking to score an insurance goal and fast. Nya Baccelli rattled one off in the 49th minute but its was blocked by the High Point defensive line. Trailing by one goal and running out of time, the pressure by the Panthers' offense was greater than ever, but the Spartans remained composed under pressure, refusing to let High Point get the tying goal. As time ticked away, Upstate's defensive line remained connected and continued to communicate as a unit to shut down the Panthers' attack. Cora Brendle faced three shots and made two saves in the final minutes of play and secured the clean sheet as the final whistle blew indicating the 1-0 win for Upstate. 

Head coach Sharif Saber couldn't have been happier with the team's performance saying, "The team has immersed itself in the concepts we've been working on as well as become more adaptable as a unit. At halftime I challenged the girls and they rose to the challenge. I couldn't be more proud of the maturity my team showed tonight".  

Game Information    
Score: USC Upstate 1: High Point 0 
Record: USC Upstate (7-1-4, 4-0-0 Big South) vs. High Point (4-4-5, 2-1-1 Big South) 
Location: Vert Stadium | High Point, N.C.      

 
How It Happened   

• 1' - High Point recorded the first shots of the game as Lindsey DeHaven (HPU) and Faine Buete (HPU) fired off one shot each in the first minute of play.  

• 6'- Dara Russo (UPST) rattled off the first goal of the game for the Spartans but wasn't able to get it on target. 

• 13'- Savannah Noll (UPST) tested the Panthers goalkeeper for the first time with a shot to the low right corner but Ellyn Casto earned her first save of the game.  

• 20'- With the ball along the sideline and defensive pressure at her back, Ashley Finn (UPST) found Hailey Sapinoro (UPST) with the pass back. Sapinoro found Margret Edda Bjarnadottir (UPST) running to the back post for a tap in goal.  

• 29'- DeHaven (HPU) responded the Upstate's goal with two shots in the minutes following, but neither would land on target.  

• 43'- Buete (HPU) claimed the final shot of the first half for the Panthers which was too far right of the net.  

• At halftime, Upstate trailed High Point in shots (12-6), saves (2-1), and corner kicks (5-2).  

• 50'- Nya Baccelli (UPST) looked to help the Spartans extend their one goal lead with a shot but was blocked by the Panthers defense.  

• 67'- Buete (HPU) fired one to the bottom center of Upstate's goal and was met by Cora Brendle (UPST) who collected the shot.  

• 79'- A foul on Upstate provided High Point with a free kick which resulted in a shot by Carly Smith (HPU) that was too high off target.  

• 80'- Russo (UPST) still eager to get one for herself was able to get enough space from HPU defenders and sent one to the bottom center of the net, but Casto (HPU) made the save. 

• 89'- Buete claimed the final shot of the game which was hit to the bottom center of the net and collected by Brendle (UPST) for her final save of the night.  

• At the end of full time, Upstate led High Point in saves (4-3) but trailed in shots (18-8) and corner kicks (6-2), and was tied for shots on goal (4-4).   

Notable   

• Bjarnadottir now sits with four goals on the season, three of which have been game winning goals to beat Big South opponents.   

• Hailey Sapinoro and Ashley Finn both earned their second assists of the season off of Bjarnadottir's goal.  

• Cora Brendle not only made four saves to bring her season total up to 35, but also earned her third solo shutout of the season.  

• Upstate is currently on a five-game win streak (High Point, Gardner-Webb, Winthrop, UNC Asheville, Jackson State). 

• This is the second time Upstate has beaten High Point; the first time was in the 2022 season when the Spartans had a 1-0 finish with Sydney Thomas scoring the game winning goal.  

UP Next for the Spartans    
Upstate will come home to finish the week hosting the Highlanders of Radford Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at County University Soccer Stadium. 

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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