BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer program continues to have the best start to conference play in program history after a late 2-1 comeback victory over Gardner-Webb advances their conference record to 3-0. Similar to the UNC Asheville game a few weeks ago, Audrey Baer came up big for Upstate, scoring the first goal to keep the Spartans in the game before Margret Edda Bjarnadottir sealed the victory with a game winning penalty kick.  

Eager to get on the board quick, the Spartans wasted little time attacking the Runnin' Bulldogs goal with Nya Baccelli claiming the first shot of the game. Upstate's aggressive offense didn't let up through the first 45 minutes as it outshot Gardner-Webb 10 shots to three. Baccelli led Upstate's offense with three shots while seven other Spartans took a crack at the net as well: Noll, Russo, Bjarnadottir, Armstrong, K. Johnson, Sanders, and de Barros. Despite occupying Gardner-Webb's defensive half for 72% of the first half and maintaining possession for 54% of the first half, the teams went into the halftime break tied 0-0. 

Coming out of the break, the Spartans were right back to work, with Baccelli and Ashley Finn testing Gardner-Webb's backline yet again. In the 52nd minute, the Runnin' Bulldogs found a forward running through and were able to get a one goal lead over the Spartans. The Spartans responded with two more shots before a deflected shot from Baccelli was rebounded by Finn, who found Baer with space in the 18-yard box. Baer was able to remain composed when pressure collapsed towards her and scored the goal to give the Spartans a chance to come back in the 65th minute of play. Refusing to settle for a tie, Upstate's offensive pressure remained constant as three shots followed Baer's goal. In the 79th minute, a Gardner-Webb defender would get called for a handball inside the box. Bjarnadottir took her second penalty kick of the season which resulted in her third goal. With 11 minutes left to play, the Spartans remained composed on defense and were able to hold their one goal lead until the final whistle.  

Game Information    
Score: USC Upstate 2: Gardner-Webb 1 
Record: USC Upstate (6-1-4, 3-0-0 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (2-8-1, 0-2-0 Big South) 
Location: Greene-Harbison Stadium | Boiling Springs, N.C.    

 
How It Happened   

• 3' - Nya Baccelli (UPST) claimed the first shot of the game but was off target. 

• 7'- Megan Gettys (GWU) recorded the first shot for the hosting Running' Bulldogs, but like Baccelli missed the frame. 

• 17'- Dara Russo (UPST) tallied her first shot of the goal which was collected by Jamie Martin (GWU) for her first save of the night. 

• 21'- Cora Brendle (UPST) earned her first save of the night after Julianna Jatkola (GWU) tried her luck.  

• 36'- Brendle (UPST) tallied her final save of the first half as Amely Molina (GWU) fired one to the bottom center of the net. 

• 44'- Emily Sanders (UPST) recorded the last shot of the first half to the bottom right of the net, but Martin would collect her third save.  

• At halftime, Upstate led Garder-Webb in shots (10-3) and corner kicks (3-0) and trailed in saves (3-2). 

• 47'- Baccelli (UPST) once again was first to fire a shot off this time in the second half but missed the target high and to the left. 

• 52'- Abby Clark (GWU) ran on to a through ball and was able to get enough space from the Upstate defense and give the Bulldogs a one goal lead. 

• 65'- Ashley Finn (UPST) rebounded Baccelli's shot and was able to find Audrey Baer in the 18-yard box. Baer was able to put the ball away to make the game 1-1. 

• 75'- Finn (UPST) continued to help the Spartans push on offense and fired one low and to the center but Martin (GWU) was on the receiving end for the save. 

• 79'- After a Gardner-Webb defender was called for a handball in the box, Margret Edda Bjarnadottir (UPST) remained composed under pressure and gave Upstate the winning goal. 

• 83'- Tijana Josic (GWU) claimed the final shot for Gardner-Webb but her aim was too high to tie the game. 

• At the end of full time, Upstate led Gardner-Webb in shots (20-6), shots on goal (9-3), and corner kicks (4-0) and trailed in saves (7-2).  

Notable   

• Margret Edda Bjarnadottir is now 2-2 for penalty kicks on the season. 

• Bjarnadottir now sits with three goals, two of which are game winning goals.  

• Her goal to tie the game is the second goal Audrey Baer has scored this season.  
• Her assist on Baer's goal is Ashley Finn's first of the season.

• This is the second time this season that Baer has giving Upstate the tying goal and Bjarnadottir has contributed the winning goal with a penalty kick (vs. UNC Asheville 9/23/23) 

• Upstate is currently on a four-game win streak (Gardner-Webb, Winthrop, UNC Asheville, Jackson State). 

• Upstate has now surpassed its total goals from last season with 23 goals (2022: 22 goals). 

UP Next for the Spartans    
Upstate will remain on the road to play the Panthers of High Point University on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in North Carolina, and finish the week hosting the Highlanders of Radford 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.      

    
    
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