Thursday's MatchUP
August 24, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. Wofford College (0-2-0, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Snyder Field | Spartanburg, S.C.
How They Stack Up
Record: USC Upstate (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. Wofford College (0-2-0, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Series: Upstate trails 1-8-1
Last Five Matches: Sept. 3, 2021 (UPST 0, WOFF 1), Sept. 19, 2019 (UPST 2, WOFF 1), Sept. 7, 2018 (UPST 1, WOFF 2), Sept. 8, 2017 (UPST 2, WOFF 3), Sept. 13, 2016 (UPST 0, WOFF 2)
Players to Watch
Upstate saw five different Spartans score goals in the first two games of the regular season. Dara Russo, Hailey Sapinoro, Hannah Blodget, Ashley Finn, and Paige Armstrong all recorded their first goals of the season after playing College of Charleston and Hampton University last week. Cora Brendle continues to be the Spartans go-to line of defense in the net and started the first two games of the season.
Wofford retained two of its top goal scorers from the 2022 season as well as its primary goalkeeper. Ansley Elizalde returns after finishing the 2022 season leading the Terriers with four goals, eight points, 22 shots, eight shots on goal, and one game winning goal. Ashley Grant also returns after finishing last season with three goals, two assists, eight points, 25 shots, 16 shots on goal and one game winning goal. The Terriers also return Caroline Doss who played a total of 1747 minutes and had 89 saves, a 1.13 goals against average, and a .802 save percentage.
Last Match
Finn, Blodget, and Armstrong scored one goal respectively in Sunday's afternoon match against Hampton to get Upstate's first win of the season (3-0). Cora Brendle started in the goal for both matches but Meghan Groah saw her first minutes in a Spartan jersey against Hampton. Brendle so far has five saves on the season in 147 minutes played.
Wofford started its 2023 season with two losses, first against Queens University of Charlotte and then against Elon. On Sunday against the Phoenix, the Terriers fell 3-0 with two goals being scored against them in the first half and a final goal in the 50th minute of play.
UP Next for the Spartans
After the quick trip to Wofford, Upstate will come home to host Furman at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday in the first home game of the 2023 season.
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.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateWSoccer
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans
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