SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer team earned its first Big South win of the season as the Spartans pulled off the 2-1 comeback victory over the Longwood Lancers on Saturday afternoon. Nya Baccelli was a standout performer in the Spartans conference contest and tallied both goals for Upstate.  

In the first half, both teams went without a shot through the first 10 minutes, and it was the visiting Lancers who had the first scoring opportunity. Savannah Noll, Dara Russo, and Nya Baccelli responded quickly, rattling off shots for the Spartans. Upstate then found itself trailing early as Longwood got on the board first in the 19th minute of play. Baccelli scored the equalizer in the 22nd minute of play as she found the lower right corner of the net after a nearly 30-yard carry through the middle of the field. The Spartans held the Lancers in the tie through to the halftime break, allowing only two shots on target in the remaining 23 minutes of the half. Baccelli led the Spartans' offense through the first half with three shots while Noll recorded two and Russo had one. Caitlyn Davis made her second start in the net for the Spartans this season and made three saves on eight shots faced.  

The intensity of the game was no different coming out of the break as both the Spartans and the Lancers fought to take the lead and ultimately take control of the game. Upstate outshot Longwood 3-2 through the first 10 minutes of half number two. Despite shots on target from Savannah Noll, Catarina Dantas, and Maddy DeCola, the Spartans remained scoreless through the 76th minute of play. Baccelli would once again come up big for the hosting Spartans as she connected with Adrianna Pepe and Kiley Johnson and went on to score her second goal of the night. With the lead and only 13 minutes remaining in the game, the Spartans became a smart and calm defensive unit and successfully shutout the Lancers to solidify their first conference win of the season. Davis played the full 90 minutes in the net and walked away with a season-high four saves on 16 shots faced.  

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 2; Longwood 1 

Record: USC Upstate (4-3-3; 1-0-1 Big South) vs. Longwood (2-9-3; 1-2-1 Big South)    
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.     

  
How It Happened    

• 11'- Schultz fired off the first shot of the match for either team but Caitlyn Davis made the save for Upstate to keep the game scoreless early. 

• 19'- Longwood would find the net first in the 19th minute of play (1-0).  

• 20'- Nya Baccelli tried to tie the game up quick with a shot to bottom center but Curtis made her first save of the match.  

• 22'- After a 30-yard solo run through the center of the field. Baccelli found the back of the low right corner of the net to tie the game (1-1). 

• 35'- Davis tallied another save as Siner sent her shot towards the bottom left corner of the net.  

• 40'- Robertson recorded the final shot on target for Longwood in the first half but Caitlyn Davis came up with her final save of the half.  

• 44'- Longwood earned its last save of the game as Curtis collected Baccelli's final shot of the half.  

• At halftime, Upstate trailed Longwood in shots (8-7) and corner kicks (3-0), but was tied for saves (3-3).  

• 47'- Davis earned her lone save of the half as she collected Curney's shot hit to the bottom center of the net.  

• 51'- Catarina Dantas recorded the Spartans' first shot on target of the second half but was met by Curtis.  

• 64'- Curtis made her second save of the half as Noll sent a shot toward the low left corner of the frame.  

• 73'- Maddy DeCola tried to give the Spartans the lead with a shot to the lower left corner, but Curtis would pick up her final save of the match.  

• 77'- Adrianna Pepe found Kiley Johnson across the pitch; Johnson settled the ball and found Nya Baccelli on the run up top and Baccelli was able to slot the ball in the near, left corner (2-1). 

• 86'- Longwood had the final shot of the game but it was off target, to the left.  

• At the final whistle, Upstate trailed in shots (16-14), corner kicks (5-2), and saves (6-4), but led in shots on goal (8-6).  

Notable    

• Upstate's last win against Longwood was a 3-1 victory at home in 2022.  

• This was Nya Baccelli's second game of the season scoring multiple goals in a contest (three goals vs. Delaware St. 8/25/24). 

• Baccelli recorded a season-high four shots on target.  

• The Spartans' win against Longwood was Caitlyn Davis' first win of the season.  

UP Next for the Spartans     
Upstate will commence conference play Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. in Clinton, S.C. against the Blue Hose of Presbyterian.    

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!  

MORGAN SQUARE MADNESS (Oct. 3, 2024) - Click here for info on South Carolina's only FREE, open to the public, outdoor basketball tip-off party!  Click here for details for all of Family and Alumni Weekend at USC Upstate, Oct. 3-5!  

  
BALLKID PROGRAM – Join the team beside the team, the USC Upstate soccer ballkid program!  Free opportunity to play a support role on gameday -open to kids 5th – 8th grade, click to sign up today! 

Connect with the Spartans     
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics     
X (Twitter) | @UpstateWSoccer     
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer     
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans