SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer finished Sunday's afternoon match against The Citadel with a 2-2 tie, earning its second tie at County University Soccer Stadium this season.  

The Spartans found themselves fighting early on as The Citadel were able to find the net in the fourth minute of play. Upstate responded with shots from Dara Russo, Margrett Edda Bjarnadottir, and Catarina Bastos but unfortunately, none found the net. Russo was able to change the game as she connected with Emily Sanders through the middle of the field to take the Bulldogs' goalkeeper on one-v.-one before placing the ball in the low right corner of the net. Upstate kept its foot on the gas and outshot The Citadel 5-3 for the remainder of the first half.  

Both teams came out of the break eager to break the 1-1 tie. The Citadel was the first to fire shots in the second half, but the Spartans were quick hit a few of their own thanks to captains, Ashley Finn and Ellie Arnold. Upstate and The Citadel would continue to play locked at one apiece for 35 minutes, until the Spartans were able to reclaim the lead. Hailey Sapinoro remained composed under pressure and found Nya Baccelli, who had some space and time roughly 30 yards out from the net. Baccelli set herself up and hit a rocket into the under-side of the cross bar, which redirected the ball into The Citadel goalkeeper and went into the net. The Spartans held the one goal lead until the 86th minute when the Bulldogs would capitalize on a ball through the backline to make the game 2-2. After the full 90, Upstate and The Citadel would both leave County University Soccer Stadium with another tie on the season.  

Game Information    
Score: Upstate 2; The Citadel 2 
Records: USC Upstate (2-1-3, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. The Citadel (2-1-4, 0-0-0 SoCon)    
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.  
    
How It Happened   

• 4'- Grace Duncan (CIT) was able to get the Bulldogs on the board early as she scored off a free kick from Celeste Nader (CIT) which was flicked on by Ariana Paez (CIT). 

• 12'- Dara Russo (UPST) tested Nora Sampson (CIT) for the first time in the match with a shot to the bottom center, but Sampson would earn her first save.  

• 32'- Emily Sanders (UPST) found Russo (UPST) who was making a run through The Citadel defense. Russo took on Sampson (CIT) but stayed composed and found the right side of the net. 

• 40'- Sanders (UPST) was hungry for one of her own and fired one from distance but her aim was just off as she hit the crossbar.  

• At halftime, Upstate led The Citadel in shots (11-6), corner kicks (4-2), and saves (4-3).  

• 50'- Alexis Haire (CIT) fired the first shot of the second half, but Brendle (UPST) came up big for the Spartans to deny what would've been the leading goal for The Citadel. 

• 80'- Nya Baccelli (UPST) was able to send on into the underside of the crossbar from about 30-yards out after receiving the ball from Hailey Sapinoro (UPST). 

• 82'- Russo (UPST) wasn't done on the attack as she looked for her second goal of the game but was stopped by Sampson (CIT). 

• 86'- Danielle Etienne (CIT) tied the game 2-2 as she ran on to a through ball from Ariana Paez (CIT).  

• At the final whistle, Upstate led The Citadel in shots (15-11) and saves (6-4) and was tied for corner kicks (4-4). 

Notable   

• Russo's goal in the 32nd minute was her third of the season. 

• Russo had a season-high six shots and four shots on goal. 

• Russo is the first Spartan to have double-digit shots (19) and shots on goal (12) 

• Baccelli's goal in the 80th minute was her third of the season.  

• Hailey Sapinoro and Emily Sanders earned their first assists of the season against The Citadel.  

• Cora Brendle had a season-high six saves in today's match.  

UP Next for the Spartans    
With the three-week homestand done, the Spartans will get ready to head back out on the road to play ETSU at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14th.  . 
 
 

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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