Audrey Baer Header Goal vs. UNCA
Audrey Baer Header Goal vs. UNC Asheville
1
UNC Asheville UNCA (4-2-3, 0-1-0)
2
Winner USC Upstate UPST (4-1-4, 1-0-0)
UNC Asheville UNCA
(4-2-3, 0-1-0)
1
Final
2
USC Upstate UPST
(4-1-4, 1-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UNC Asheville UNCA 0 1 1
USC Upstate UPST 0 2 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Baer and Bjarnadottir Secure Upstate's First Conference Win of the Season in Late 2-1 Victory Over UNC Asheville

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer program started off conference play with a nail biting 2-1 victory against UNC Asheville, which came down to one penalty kick in the last 1.8 seconds of the match. With her first career goal, Audrey Baer was able to tie the game in the 83rd minute but it was Margret Edda Bjarnadottir who would go on to solidify the win with a penalty kick.  

The Spartans were eager to collect their first conference win of the season on their home field as the stands at County University Soccer Stadium were filled with fans in green. UNC Asheville was able to push Upstate back on its heels as it rattled off the first shot of the game in the third minute. Upstate responded with nine unanswered shots in nearly 36 minutes. The Bulldogs were able to hit one on target in the 39th minute of play, but the result was Cora Brendle earning her first save of the game. Despite Upstate's aggressive offensive, the Spartans went into the halftime break tied 0-0 with visiting UNC Asheville.  

Similar to the first half, UNC Asheville was able to break through Upstate's back line and once again test Brendle who was ready and waiting to collect yet another save. In the 59th minute of play, a miscommunication in Upstate's defense caused the Spartans to trail 1-0. Despite conceding a goal, the Spartans responded with six unanswered shots, three of which were on target. In the 83rd minute of play, Bjarnadottir stepped up to take the Upstate corner kick and found Baer rushing into in the 18-yard box. Baer got her head on the end of Bjarnadottir's service and redirected the ball into the far corner of the net to tie the game 1-1. With the final seconds of the game ticking away, Rachel Satchell dribbled full speed up the middle of the field and fired a shot which would get blocked and come straight back to her. With her own rebound, Satchell fired one more shot that hit off the UNC Asheville defender's hand, resulting in a penalty kick. Bjarnadottir once again stepped up for the Spartans and with the game in her hands alone, placed the game winning goal into the low right corner of the goal. 

Head coach Sharif Saber couldn't have been more proud of his team saying, "Walking away with a win like this took heart, grit, and more than anything else, each other. This team has poured so much of themselves as individuals into the program, and I think that showed in tonight's match. Individually I am proud of Margret and Audrey for scoring their first goals of the season; collectively we soak up the first win of conference play and begin the recovery and preparation for Winthrop on Wednesday".  

Game Information    
Score: USC Upstate 2; UNC Asheville 1 
Record: USC Upstate (4-1-4, 1-0-0 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (4-1-4, 0-1-0 Big South)  
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.  

 
How It Happened   

  • 3'- Barrett Eidson (UNCA) rattled off the first shot of the game but the shot was to the left of the frame.  

  • 7'- Emily Sanders (UPST) recorded the first shot of the game for the Spartans, however Grace Murray (UNCA) earned her first save of the game.  

  • 19'- Sanders (UPST) racked up four shots in the first 19 minutes of play, two of which were on target.  

  • 39'- Julia Husch (UNCA) force Cora Brendle (UPST) to earn her first save of the game with a shot to the bottom center of the goal.  

  • 42'/ 43'- Ashley Finn (UPST) recorded the final two shots of the first half, one of which gave Murray (UNCA) her final save of the first half. 

  • At halftime, Upstate led UNC Asheville in shots (11-2) and corner kicks (4-2) and trailed in saves (6-1).  

  • 50'- Brendle (UPST) earned her first save of the second half as Taylor Gardner (UNCA) hit a shot to the top center of the goal.  

  • 59'- Miscommunication and a deflection on Upstate's defense resulted in an own goal to give UNC Asheville a 1-0 lead.  

  • 81'- Paige Armstrong (UPST) and Margret Edda Bjarnadottir (UPST) fired back-to-back shots in attempts to tie the game but both were saved by Murray (UNCA).  

  • 83'- Bjarnadottir (UPST) delivered a corner into the 18-yard box where a waiting Audrey Baer (UPST) redirected the kick with her head into the far corner of the goal to tie the game 1-1.  

  • 89:59 – After the center referee called a handball on UNC Asheville's center back, Bjarnadottir tucked the penalty kick into the low right corner of the net for a 2-1 finish.   

  • At the end of full time, Upstate led UNC Asheville in shots (24-5), shots on goal (14-4), and corner kicks (6-4) and trailed in saves (12-4).  

Notable   

  • Margret Edda Bjarnadottir's goal in the second half was her second goal of the season, the third goal of her career, and her first game winning goal. 

  • Bjarnadottir's assist on Baer's goal was her first of the season and the third of her career.  

  • Three Spartans had four shots in tonight's match (Armstrong, Sanders, and Finn) while four more Spartans tallied at least two shots (Russo, Baccelli, Baer, and Bjarnadottir). 

  • Tonight was Catarina Bastos' third consecutive game playing all 90 minutes.  

  • Upstate had a season-high 24 shots and 14 shot on goal.  

  • Nine Spartans have now scored this season with Baccelli (4), Russo (4), Armstrong (2), and Bjarnadottir (2) all with multiple goals.  

UP Next for the Spartans    
Upstate will remain on its home turf at County University Soccer Stadium to host the Eagles of Winthrop on Wednesday at 7:00 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.      

    
    
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