Saturday's MatchUP  
September 23, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET   

USC Upstate (3-1-4, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (4-1-3, 0-0-0 Big South)  
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C. 
 

How They Stack Up  

Record: USC Upstate (3-1-4, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (4-1-3, 0-0-0 Big South) 

Series: USC Upstate trails the overall series 3-8-0 

Last Five Matches: Oct. 17, 2018 (UPST 1; UNCA 0), Sept. 25, 2019 (UPST 0; UNCA 1 [2OT]), Mar. 27, 2021 (UPST 1; UNCA 2 [2OT]), Sept. 29, 2021 (UPST 0; UNCA 1 [2OT]), Oct. 12, 2022 (UPST 2; UNCA 1) 

Players to Watch  

For USC Upstate, Nya Baccelli and Dara Russo continue to be a powerhouse on offense as both players have four goals on the season after the game against Jackson State. Baccelli helps to lead Upstate's stats with two assists and 10 points. Alongside Baccelli, Russo also contributes an impressive stat line, leading the team with 25 shots and 15 shots on goal. Defender Catarina Bastos earned her first Big South honor as she was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Week after her exceptional job helping Upstate shutout ETSU on Thursday.  

UNC Asheville is led on offense by Taylor Gardner and Nao Kawasaki who have two goals, one assist, and one game winning goal each. Gardner's strong stat line continues with 22 shots and 10 shots on goal. Gracie Murray had started six of Asheville's eight contests in goal for a combined 529 minutes of play. Murray sits with a 0.68 goals against average, 27 saves, .871 save percentage, and three shutouts.  

Last Match    

Upstate is returning home to County University Soccer Stadium after a successful trip to Mississippi. The Spartans collected their third win of the season on Monday with a 2-1 win over Jackson State. Russo scored the first goal for Upstate in the 18th minute of play while Baccelli scored the game winning goal in the 84th minute of play with assists being credited to Paige Armstrong and Adrianna Pepe.  

UNC Asheville prepared for its first Big South game of the season with a game on Thursday against Morehead State where the Bulldogs finished in a 2-2 tie. After a scoreless first half, the Eagles scored in the 57th minute of play but the Bulldogs were quick to respond with a goal by Daysha Chaney in the 68th minute. Morehead scored again in the 80th minute to reclaim the lead but UNC Asheville was once again able to find a way to score and the late goal from Taylor Gardner would solidify the 2-2 tie.  

     
 
UP Next for the Spartans   
Following the Big South opener against UNC Asheville, the Spartans will host the Eagles of Winthrop Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. before taking the short drive to play the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb Saturday at 7:00 p.m. 
  

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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