SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer finished its 2023 home opener against Furman University in a 1-1 tie on Sunday afternoon. Nya Baccelli scored her first goal of the season in the 60th minute of play.
The Spartans came out firing on all cylinders, eager for a win in their 2023 season home opener. Baccelli rattled off the first few shots of the game with Dara Russo, Savannah Noll, and Paige Armstrong also contributed on offense. Despite rattling off 10 shots in the first half, the Spartans sat tied 0-0 with the Paladins at halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Paladins rattled off the first shot but Baccelli was quick to get the Spartans back on the attack. Her persistence against the Paladin defense paid off as Baccelli scored the first goal of the game in the 60th minute to give Upstate a 1-0 lead. Furman was quick to try to tie the game with a shot on target in the 64th minute, but wouldn't do so until the 69th minute when a cross from wide right was able to find the back left corner of the net. Upstate was able to get another three shots off in the final 16 minutes of the match but were unable to get the winning goal which led to a 1-1 finish.
Regardless of the result, Saber was content with the Spartans' performance saying, "I was really proud of the performance today. As you can see the team is starting to evolve in its style of play, becoming more possession oriented, looking to play out of the back. I think the girls are doing fantastic with it so far this year".
Game Information
Score: Upstate 1; Furman 1
Records: USC Upstate (1-1-2, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. Furman (3-0-1, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
How It Happened
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2'- Nya Baccelli (UPST) wasted little time firing shots as she hit two in the second minute of play, one of which made Addison Corn (FUR) make her first save.
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10'- Corn (FUR) earned her second save of the game as Paige Armstrong (UPST) fired one to the lower left corner of the net.
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26'- By the 26th minute of play Upstate had taken eight shots (Baccelli, Russo, Noll, Armstrong).
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31'- Norah Roller (FUR) recorded the first shot for the Paladins but in turn helped Cora Brendle (UPST) earn her first save of the match.
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44'- Ellie Arnold (UPST) hit the last shot of the first half but was stopped by Corn (FUR) to keep the game 0-0 going into the break.
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49'- Roller (FUR) fired off the first shot of the second half but it was off target to the right.
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56'- Baccelli (UPST) once again forced Corn (FUR) to make a save to keep the game at 0-0.
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61'- Baccelli (UPST) took space up the middle of the field and with precision found the lower left corner of the net just passed Corn (FUR) to make the game 1-0.
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69'- Camryn Bolick (FUR) sent a cross in from the right side of the field which Brendle (UPST) attempted to push over the cross bar didn't get high enough and bounced into the back corner of the goal to tie the game 1-1.
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77'- Corn (FUR) made her final save of the game as Armstrong (UPST) fired one to the bottom left corner.
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86'- Brendle (USPT) earned her final save of the game as Hannah Burr (FUR) hit one to the bottom right corner.
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At the final whistle, Upstate led Furman in shots (16-10), was tied for corner kicks (3-3), and trailed in saves (8-5).
Notable
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Baccelli's shot in the 61st minute was her first goal of the 2023 season.
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With her five shots today, Baccelli now leads the team in shots (10) with Russo (9) and Armstrong (8) just behind her.
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All three have five shots on goal respectively so far this season.
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Brendle made a season-high five saves today.
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Armstrong made her first career start as a Spartan against Furman.
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This was the first time in the series between Upstate and Furman that a tie has been the final result (1-9-1).
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate takes the week to recover and will return to County University Soccer Stadium to play Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Join Us for Happy Hour
From the time gates at County University Soccer Stadium open to kickoff (one hour) fans will save 30% off a combination of a nacho and Pepsi product of your choice! The savings make the concession package just $5.00 but it's only good for the hour preceding the start of the match and only good for weekday home events this season!
Women's Soccer Happy Hour Dates: September 27 & October 18
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
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