Emily Sanders vs. Radford BSC Final
Emily Sanders
1
USC Upstate UPS (11-4-4, 6-2-0)
2
Winner Radford RAD (12-5-2, 6-1-1)
USC Upstate UPS
(11-4-4, 6-2-0)
1
Final
2
Radford RAD
(12-5-2, 6-1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate UPS 0 1 1
Radford RAD 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

The Spartans Finish the 2023 Season With 2-1 Loss in the Big South Conference Championship

MATTHEWS, N.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer program capped what was another impressive season under head coach Sharif Saber with a 2-1 loss in the championship game of the Big South Women's Soccer Tournament.  

With Upstate's first ever Conference Tournament Championship on the line, the Spartans came out of the gate with intensity. The Highlanders were able to get two shots off in the first three minutes but neither of which was on target. Dara Russo claimed the not just the first shot for Upstate but the first shot on goal of the game but unfortunately was stopped by the Highlanders goalkeeper. Cora Brendle secured two saves in the first half, in the eighth minute and the 12th minute, to keep the game 0-0. The 0-0 tie would hold until the Highlanders were able to find the net in the 32nd minute of play. Upstate responded with two shots, including one on target from Ellie Arnold in the 36th minute. Going into the half time, possession was 50-50 between the Highlanders and the Spartans while corner kicks were tied (3-3) and Upstate trailed in shots by one (8-7).  

Similar to the start of the game, the Highlanders came out of the break firing shots, none of which cause Brendle to have to make a save. The Spartans responded with three unanswered shots from Nya Baccelli, Emily Sanders, and Morgan de Barros. Radford extended its lead to two as the Highlanders scored a second goal in the 70th minute of play. Regardless of the deficit, Upstate continued to fight and take chances on offense. The Spartans' work paid off in the 79th minute of play as Baccelli fought to get space from a Radford defender to get a shot off. Baccelli fired one from inside the 18-yard box which was nearly saved by the Highlander's goalkeeper. As the goalkeeper made the save the ball came back out into the six-yard box where Russo came crashing in to collect the rebound and make the game 2-1. Baccelli hit another two shots on target both of which were saved by the Highlanders while Russo also hit on more on target in effort to tie the game as the clock ticked down.  

At the final whistle, the Spartans fell 2-1 in their first ever Big South Women's Soccer Championship and finished the season with an 11-4-4 overall record. The 2023 season saw the Spartans collect eight All-Conference honors as well as three Big South All-Tournament honors which were awarded to Dara Russo, Audrey Baer, and Emily Rangel for their efforts.  

Game Information    
Score: USC Upstate 1: Radford 2 
Record: No. 2 Seed USC Upstate (11-4-4, 6-2-0 Big South) vs. No. 1 Seed Radford (12-5-2, 6-1-1 Big South)   
SportsPlex at Matthews | Matthews, N.C     

Big South All-Tournament Team 

Lilly Short (MVP), RAD 

Ashley Loundermon, RAD 

Alexeis Kirnos, RAD 

Helena Willson, RAD 

Dara Russo, UPST 

Audrey Baer, UPST 

Emily Rangel, UPST 

Fain Buete, HPU 

Alex DePerno, HPU 

Jenna Moran, CSU 

Abby Angelucci, CSU 

 
Notable   

  • Dara Russo scored her 15th goal of the season in the semifinal against High Point 

  • Russo has scored eight goals in Upstate's last seven games. 

  • With her assist against Radford, Nya Baccelli finishes third on the team for assists with five. 

  • Baccelli had a season-high four shots on goal against Radford. 

  • Audrey Baer played for season-high minutes for back-to-back games with 85 minutes played in the semifinal and 90 minutes played in the final. 

  • This was the first time in program history the Spartans have competed in a tournament championship. 

    
Connect with the Spartans    
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics    
Twitter | @UpstateWSoccer    
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer    
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans  

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