CLINTON, S.C. - USC Upstate women's soccer team opened conference play with a tie for the first time since the 2020-2021 shortened COVID season, as the Spartans finished in a 2-2 draw with the Blue Hose in Clinton on Wednesday night.   

Despite Presbyterian recording the first two shots of the game, Upstate remained hungry on offense, which paid off in the 15th minute of play. All-time assist record holder, Margret Edda Bjarnadottir recorded her third assist of the season as her in-swinging corner kick connected with Emily Rangel who was battling in the 18-yard box for the header. Presbyterian tied the game 1-1 in the 33rd minute as a shot to the back post was just out of reach for starting goalkeeper, Caitlyn Davis. The Spartans responded quickly with a goal in the 36th minute to reclaim the lead. Morgan de Barros created the scoring opportunity as she collected a deflected corner kick and found Dara Russo close to the end-line. Russo found Paige Armstrong in the box, who was able to redirect the ball into the net with a header. The Spartans held their one-goal lead into halftime. Russo led Upstate's offense with four shots, while both Nya Baccelli and Paige Armstrong recorded two apiece, and Kiley Johnson, Emily Rangel, Savannah Noll, Palina Jordan, and Riley O'Bryan recorded one shot respectively. 

The visiting Spartans continued to push offensively, in hopes of extending their one-goal lead. Upstate held the lead until the 49th minute, when Presbyterian would pick off the ball and find the net for the game tying goal. Following the tying goal, Upstate remained hungry on offense and outshot Presbyterian 7-4 through the remaining 41 minutes on play, including firing off three shots on target, two of which were from Rangel. At the final whistle, Upstate and Presbyterian finished in a 2-2 tie. Caitlyn Davis played the full 90-minutes in the net for Upstate and recorded one save. 

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 2; Presbyterian 2 

Record: USC Upstate (3-3-3; 0-0-1 Big South) vs. Presbyterian (5-3-2; 0-0-1 Big South)    
Location: Martin Stadium | Clinton, S.C.     

  
How It Happened    

• 8'- Presbyterian claimed the first shot on target of the game but it was Caitlyn Davis who would secure the shot for her first save.  

• 13'- Kiley Johnson recorded Upstate's first shot of the game but was off target with her strike. 

• 15'- Margret Edda Bjarnadottir struck an in-swinging cross off a corner kick, which connected with Emily Rangel to put the Spartans up 1-0.  

• 25'- Nya Baccelli forced the Blue Hose's goalkeeper to make her first save of the match as she sent one toward the bottom center of the frame.  

• 33'- A touch too far from the Upstate defense allowed Presbyterian to pick off the ball and score the game tying goal (1-1).  

• 34'- Dara Russo, eager to get the Spartans back on top, sent a shot towards the bottom center of the net, but it was Hall in net for the Blue Hose who made the save.  

• 36'- Morgan de Barros found Dara Russo after a corner kick was half cleared by the Blue Hose. Russo found Paige Armstrong in the box for a header into the net for the lead (2-1).  

• 45'- Russo had the final shot of the half for either team, but Hall would make her final save of the half in turn.  

• At halftime, Upstate led Presbyterian in shots (13-4) and corner kicks (3-1), but trailed in saves (3-1).  

• 47'- Savanna Noll fired the first shot of the second half but her aim was wide left. 

• 49'- The Blue Hose tied the game at two apiece after Williams scored in the 49th minute. 

• 53'- Rangel forced Hall to make another save as she sent a shot into the bottom center of the goal.  

• 56'- Williams tried to extend the Blue Hose lead but her shot was wide right. 

• 65'- Rangel tried to repeat her first half goal with another header off a corner kick but this time Hall made the save to keep the game tied. 

• 85'- Russo, on a breakaway opportunity attempted a shot for the late game winning goal but was just right of the frame. 

• At the final whistle, Upstate led in shots (21-10), shots on goal (8-3), and corner kicks (5-3), but trailed in saves (6-1).  

Notable    

• This is the first time Upstate has tied Presbyterian in the 14-game series.  

• Caitlyn Davis made her first start in goal of the season.  

• Emily Rangel scored her first goal of the season, second of her career.  

• Rangel recorded a career-high three shots on target.  

• Paige Armstrong scored her third goal of the season, fourth of her career.  

• Russo finished the game with a season-high six shots. 
• Palina Jordan made her first career start as a Spartan.

UP Next for the Spartans     
Upstate will step away from conference play to host Spartanburg Methodist on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. 

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