Sunday's MatchUP
September 10, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-1-2, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. The Citadel (2-1-3, 0-0-0 SoCon)
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
*Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Game*
How They Stack Up
Record: USC Upstate (2-1-2, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. The Citadel (2-1-3, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Series: Upstate trails the overall series 2-5-1
Last Five Matches: Aug. 22, 2014 (UPST 0, CIT 1), Aug. 23, 2015 (UPST 5, CIT 0), Sept. 10, 2019 (UPST 1, CIT 1 [2OT]), Aug. 26, 2021 (UPST 0, CIT 2), Sept. 22, 2022 (UPST 0, CIT 3)
Players to Watch
For the Spartans, Nya Baccelli, Dara Russo, and Paige Armstrong lead the offense with two goals each. Baccelli has been playing exceptionally well over the last two weeks and sits with two goals, two assists, six points, seven shots on goal, and 12 shots total on the season.
The Citadel is led on offense by Ariana Paez who has two goals, three assists, and six shots on goal so far this season. Samantha Grantham and Grace Duncan also have two goals on the season. Nora Sampson has been the primary goalkeeper for the Bulldogs as she's started all six games in the net, has a 0.73 goals against average, and a 0.862 save percentage.
Last Match
Upstate earned its first home win of the 2023 season as it defeated the Keydets of VMI 4-2 on Sunday. Baccelli and Russo scored their second goals of the season as well as earned one assist each. Margret Edda Bjarnadottir and Emily Sanders were also able to find the net and score their first goals of the season. Cora Brendle made her fifth start in the goal for Upstate and played her fourth full game of the season.
The Citadel starts the 2023 season with a 2-1-3 record after most recently tying fellow Big South competitors, UNC Asheville 0-0 on Thursday. Despite The Citadel outshooting UNC Asheville 12-11, the Bulldogs were unable to find the back of the net. Sampson racked up a season-high seven saves in the process.
UP Next for the Spartans
After the three-week homestand comes to a close, the Spartans will get ready to head back out on the road to play ETSU at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14th.
Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Day
USC Upstate athletics, in partnership with the Office of Counseling Services at USC Upstate, will host a Mental Health Awareness match this Sunday, September 10 as the Upstate women's soccer team hosts The Citadel. Kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+) at Spartanburg Regional Field at County University Soccer Stadium.
At the match USC Upstate Counseling Services will have a table on the concourse to distribute information about the services they offer to students, faculty and staff. A full list of services available may be found on their website and via the Healthy U app. As a symbol of mental health awareness and suicide prevention, there will be a purple & turquoise ribbon giveaway as well.
During halftime and in social media posts leading up to the match, there will be a special recognition of members of the Upstate counseling services team as well as a special video presentation from the women's soccer program bringing attention to this important conversation including mental health and self care tips.
Sunday's Mental Health Awareness match is part of our yearlong "Spotlight on Spartanburg" series presented by Budweiser of Spartanburg. "Spotlight on Spartanburg" is a monthly series hosted by USC Upstate athletics seeking to promote non-profit, community organizations, individuals or on-campus organizations/individuals who are making a difference in our community.
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
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!
