Team Huddle At Home versus Wofford
1
USC Upstate UPST (3-3-2, 0-0-0)
2
Winner South Dakota St. SDSU (7-2-1, 0-0-0)
USC Upstate UPST
(3-3-2, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
South Dakota St. SDSU
(7-2-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
USC Upstate UPST 0 1 1
South Dakota St. SDSU 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Women's Soccer Falls Short in Mid-Week Midwest Contest Against South Dakota State

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Despite a second half offensive push and Dara Russo tallying her fifth goal of the season, the USC Upstate women's soccer team came up short in Brookings, S.D. on Thursday night as it fell 2-1 on the road to South Dakota State.  

Upstate found itself primarily defending in the first half as South Dakota State tallied the first goal of the game in the 15th minute of play. Meghan Groah made her fifth consecutive start of the season against the Jackrabbits and manned the Spartans' goal for the first 20 minutes of the match. Caitlyn Davis relieved Groah and finished the first half in goal. Savannah Noll claimed Upstate's lone shot on goal of the half, which puts her on a two-game streak for shots on goal.  

The Spartans came out of the break with energy and hunger on offense, resulting in numerous dangerous opportunities in the final third. Dara Russo came alive in the second half as she recorded four shots, all of which were on target, in effort to help the Spartans battle back. Russo's first shot of the contest gave Upstate the tying goal in the 55th minute of play. Bjarnadottir was credited with the assist after she picked off a Jackrabbits' pass and found Russo in the center of the field ready to run. Russo tallied her remaining three shots on target all within the final 17 minutes of the game. Adrianna Pepe, Savannah Noll, and Catarina Dantas all recorded one shot on goal as well in Thursday night's contest. Davis finished the match in the net for the Spartans and walked away with a career-high two saves.  

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 1; South Dakota State 0 

Record: USC Upstate (3-3-2; 0-0 Big South) vs. South Dakota State (7-2-1; 0-0 Summit)   
Location: Fishback Soccer Park | Brookings, S.D.      

  
How It Happened    

  • 6'- The Jackrabbits claimed the first shot of the game but Murdzek's shot was off target.  

  • 15'- A breakdown on defense allowed South Dakota State to get on the board first with a goal in the 15th minute (1-0).  

  • 16'- Savannah Noll took a shot from distance but it was collected by the Jacks' keeper in the center of the goal.  

  • 22'- Caitlyn Davis made her first save of the game after Jones hit one to low center. 

  • At halftime, Upstate trailed South Dakota State in shots (7-1), shots on goal (2-1), and corner kicks (2-1), but was tied for saves (1-1).  

  • 55'- Dara Russo was able to get the Spartans on the board early into the second half as she capitalized on a breakaway after connecting with Bjarnadottir (1-1). 

  • 65'- LeBlanc returned the lead to the hosting Jackrabbits in the 65th minute after connecting with Manding and Beulke (2-1). 

  • 73'/ 74'- Adrianna Pepe tallied a shot on goal while Russo did the same just moments later but both were saved by Leckwold.  

  • 77'- Bjarnadottir stepped up to serve in a free kick into the 18-yard box following a foul on Russo, which Catarina Dantas was on the receiving end of and nearly tied the game.  

  • 82'- Russo created just enough space from the Jackrabbits' defense to send one toward the bottom right of the net, which was picked up by Leckwold.  

  • 85'- Russo had the final shot of the game for either team but Leckwold would achieve the clean sheet with her final save of the game.  

  • At the final whistle, Upstate led in shots on goal (7-4) but trailed in shots (14-7), saves (5-2), and corner kicks (9-3). 

Notable    

  • Dara Russo finished the game with a season-high four shots on goal, surpassing her previous season-high of three set most recently against the College of Charleston (9/4/24). 

  • This is Upstate's first loss to South Dakota State in program history. 

  • Russo now leads Upstate's stats for goals (5). 

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.    

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