SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer earned its first home win of the season after defeating the Keydets of VMI 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. Nya Baccelli tallied her second goal of the season as did Dara Russo while Emily Sanders and Margret Edda Bjarnadottir recorded their firsts of the 2023 season.  

Baccelli was quick to get the Spartans on the board as she connected with Russo in the final third, just before firing one into the upper left corner. The Keydets responded quickly on the attack and ended up tying the Spartans after an own goal made the game 1-1 in the sixth minute of play. Upstate continued to press the VMI defense and was fouled at the top of the 18-yard box providing an opportunity to reclaim the lead. Bjarnadottir took the free kick with precision and scored her first goal of the season, giving Upstate a 2-1 lead. Upstate went into the halftime break with a one goal lead after outshooting VMI 10-2.  

Coming out of the break, the Keydets were able to even up the game at 2-2 as a header found the back of the net from a corner kick. A minute later, Emily Sanders found Russo in the middle of the 18 yard-box to make the game 3-2 as Russo's shot ended up in the far corner of the net. The Spartans continued to attack the trailing Keydets, refusing to let off the gas in hopes of recording the first home win of the year. Sanders scored an insurance goal in the 85th minute of play as the usual defender played the right wing and connected with Russo in the final third. At the final whistle, Upstate finished with a 4-2 victory over the Virginia Military Institute to advance its record to 2-1-2 overall.  

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

• 1'- Upstate claimed the first shot of the game as Paige Armstrong (UPST) fired one to the bottom center of the goal, but Jillian Hall (VMI) earned her first save of the game in the process.  

• 4'- Russo (UPST) made a run up the field and found Baccelli (UPST) who made enough space to take a shot. Baccelli found the upper left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.  

• 6'- The Keydets' forward took off up the center of the field and fired a shot to an open Upstate goal. Upstate's defense attempted to clear the ball but unfortunately scored an own goal to make the game 1-1.  

• 17'- Barrett Callejo (VMI) earned the first shot of the game for the Keydets but hit it wide left of the frame.  

• 20'- A foul was awarded to USC Upstate just outside the 18-yard box. Bjarnadottir (UPST) stepped up to take the free kick and scored to make the game 2-1.  

• 44'- Ashley Finn and Rachel Satchell (UPST) claimed the final two shots of the first half but the score remained 2-1.  

• At halftime, Upstate led VMI in shots (10-2) while trailing in saves (6-0) and corner kicks (1-0). 

• 47'- Savannah Noll (UPST) fired off the first shot of the second half but her aim was too high as the shot went over the cross bar.  

• 51'- A corner kick from Delilah Martindale (VMI) found Caroline Marini (VMI) in the box and Marini was able to connect with the cross and tie the game 2-2.  

• 52'- Russo (UPST) reclaimed the lead for Upstate as she found the far corner of the net with some assistance from Baccelli.  

• Rachel Satchell (UPST) had three unanswered shots in the 67th, 73rd, and 76th minutes.  

• 85'- Emily Sanders (UPST) received the ball from Russo in the final third and fired one shot but was blocked. Sanders quickly dealt with her own rebound, firing one more shot and this time finding the net.  

• At the final whistle, Upstate VMI in shots (20-6) and shots on goal (13-1), while trailing in saves (9-0) and corner kicks (4-3).   

Notable   

• Baccelli's shot in the 4th minute was her second of the season as well as Russo's first assist of the season.  

• Russo's goal in the 52nd minute was her second of the season, but her first game winning goal of the season. 

• Russo tied her season high for shots on goal (3) which she originally set against Hampton. 

• Bjarnadottir and Sanders both scored their first goals of the season.  

• Russo now leads the Spartans with 13 shots and five points while Baccelli has 12 shots and six points.  

• Today's game saw a season-high 10 points, four goals, 20 shots, and two assists.  

UP Next for the Spartans    
Upstate takes the week to recover and will return to County University Soccer Stadium to play Sunday, Sept. 10 against The Citadel at 4:00 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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