RADFORD, VA. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team dropped its first conference game of the season on Wednesday night as the Spartans fell short with a 1-0 finish on the road against the Radford Highlanders.  

Upstate and Radford battled it out in an evenly matched first half and both teams remained scoreless through the first 33 minutes of the game. The Spartans found themselves trailing going into the halftime break after the Highlanders found the net in the 34th minute of play. Nya Baccelli, Catarina Dantas, Margret Edda Bjarnadottir, and Paige Armstrong all tallied one goal apiece in the first 45 minutes of play. Caitlyn Davis made her third consecutive start in the goal for the Spartans and made one save in the first half.  

Down by only one goal, the Spartans continued to drive on offense, fighting for opportunities to take control of the game and ultimately get on the scoreboard. Despite outshooting the Highlanders 9-3 in the second half, at the final whistle Upstate would fall for the first time in Big South play. Dantas, Armstrong, and Baccelli all recorded two shots respectively in the second half, with Dantas hitting both of hers on target. Emily Rangel, Savannah Noll, and Bjarnadottir all tallied one shot as well to help try to lift the Spartans' offense.  

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 0; Radford 1 

Record: USC Upstate (4-4-3; 1-1-1 Big South) vs. Radford (6-3-3; 1-1-1 Big South)   
Location: Cupp Stadium | Radford, Va.    

  
How It Happened    

• 6'- Radford claimed the first shot of the game, which ended up going over the cross bar.  

• 17'- Baccelli claimed the first shot of the game for Upstate however was too high off target. 

• 18'- Catarina Dantas tried to get the Spartans on the board but her shot was just over the cross bar.  

• 25'-Caitlyn Davis made her first save of the game as she saved Short's shot sent to the low right corner.  

• 31'- Paige Armstrong was able to get the ball as she ran through the middle of the 18-yard box, but her shot was wide right of the frame.  

• 34'- The Highlanders took the lead in the 34th minute after a cross was redirected via header into the Upstate net. 

• 36'- Margret Edda Bjarnadottir tried to tie up the game quick, but the Highlanders blocked her shot to keep it 1-0 going into halftime. 

• At halftime, Upstate led Radford in saves (1-0), and was tied for shots (4-4) and corner kicks (3-3).  

• 55'- Dantas claimed the first shot on target of the second half, but was stopped by the Highlanders' goalkeeper. 

• 61'- Radford rattled off its first shot of the half in the 61st minute, which was too high to be a goal contender.  

• 75'- The Highlanders' goalkeeper once again was tested by Dantas as she sent one to low center.  

• 78'- Paige Armstrong recorded her lone shot on target of the game late in the second half, which Radvanyi collected for another save.  

• 80'- Bjarnadottir once again had a sent one on target but this time forced the Highlanders' goalkeeper to make the save.  

• 89'- Baccelli recorded the final shot of the game for either team and her shot was met on the receiving end by Radvanyi. 

• At the final whistle, Upstate led in shots (13-7), shots on goal (5-3), and corner kicks (7-4), but trailed in saves (5-1).  

Notable    

• This was Upstate's first loss on a Wednesday night.  

• This is the fifth time in the series between Upstate and Radford that the game has been decided by one goal.  

UP Next for the Spartans     
The Spartans will return home to host the Panthers of High Point in the second game of an Upstate soccer double header, with a 7:00 p.m. kick off time.   

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