CHARLOTTE, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team started the 2024 regular season off with a solid 2-0 win over Queens University of Charlotte on Thursday night. Dara Russo was vital in the Spartans' first win as she tallied both second half goals.  

Despite a solid first half showing, Upstate went into the halftime break tied 0-0 with the Royals. The Spartans outshot the hosting Royals 8-2 through the first 45 minutes of play. Russo led Upstate's offense alongside Nya Baccelli with two shots each while Hailey Sapinoro, Kylie Johnson, Catarina Dantas, and Alexa Martinos all recorded one shot as well. Marley Gerber occupied the net for the first 45 minutes, where she surrendered no goals and made one block to keep the Royals' offense at bay.  

Gerber remained in the net to begin the second half and was replaced in the 55th minute by Meghan Groah. In her 35 minutes of play, Groah was able to make two saves and help Gerber secure the first shutout of the season. Russo was able to give Upstate the lead in the 47th minute as she connected with Baccelli's cross. Baccelli looked to extend Upstate's lead as she fired off another three shots following the goal. Margret Edda Bjarnadottir and Riley O'Bryan recorded their first shot respectively while trying to keep momentum on offense. Russo pushed the Spartans' lead to two goals in the 82nd minute of play. The Royals were denied a single shot in the time remaining left in the match, leaving Upstate with a 2-0 victory on the road to begin the 2024 season.  

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 2: Queens 0 
Record: USC Upstate (1-0; 0-0 Big South) vs. Queens (0-1; 0-0 ASUN)     
Location: Queens Sports Complex | Charlotte, N.C.        

  
How It Happened    

• 7' - Hailey Sapinoro claimed the first shot of the season but was blocked by the Royals defense.  

• 15'- Dara Russo recorded her first shot of the season in the 15th minute but it was off target. 

• 21'- Nya Baccelli fired one towards the Royal's net but was off target as was Kiley Johnson with her shot in the 22' minute.  

• 25'- The Royals fired their first shot off in the 25th minute but Spartan goalkeeper Marley Gerber successfully blocked the shot.  

• 30'- Russo fired her second shot of the contest in the 30th minute but this time was blocked by the Royals defense.  

• 39'- Catarina Dantas fired her first shot of the season in the 39th minute but was unable to find the frame.  

• 41'- Alexa Martinos recorded her first shot as a Spartan as halftime grew near but was blocked by Queens' defense.  

• At halftime, Upstate led Queens in shots (8-2) and corner kicks (1-0).  

• 47'- Russo scored the first goal of the season right out of the halftime break to give Upstate a 1-0 lead.  

• 54'- Queens earned its first save of the second half in the 54th minute as Baccelli sent one to the bottom center of the frame.  

• 55'- USC Upstate replaced Gerber in the net with Meghan Groah. 

• 77'- Riley O'Bryan recorded the first shot on goal in the 78th minute but was stopped by Jargstorf in the net for the Royals.  

• 78'- Groah earned her second save of the contest after the Royals hit a shot to bottom center.  

• 82'- Russo extends Upstate's lead as her right footed shot is slotted into the lower left corner provides her second goal of the contest (2-0). 

• At the end of full time, Upstate led in shots (15-5), shots on goal (5-2), and corner kicks (2-1) but trailed in saves (3-2). 

Notable    

• Freshman Marley Gerber made her first career start against Queens.  

• Riley O'Bryan's shot in the 77th minute of the match was the first shot on goal of her college career. 

• Emily Rangel was the only Spartan to play all 90 minutes of the contest.  

• Upstate is now tied 2-2 in the overall series against Queens.  

• Nya Baccelli led the team on offense with five shots, ,two of which were on goal. Dara Russo was just behind her with four shots, two of which were on goal.  
   

UP Next for the Spartans     
Upstate will remain on the road to take on St. Peter's Aug. 22 and Delaware State Aug. 25. The Spartans will return to the Burg for their home opener Aug. 30 against VMI. 

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