SPARTANBURG, S.C. - After going into the halftime break trailing by two goals, the USC Upstate women's soccer team fought back for a 2-2 finish on Wednesday night against the College of Charleston Cougars.  

Both the Spartans and the Cougars spent the first 20 minutes of the match trading shots, but neither team was able to get on the board. It would be the visiting College of Charleston that struck first in the 21st minute of play before extending their lead to two goals just 10 minutes later. Maddy DeCola led the Spartan offense through the first half with two shots while both Nya Baccelli and Dara Russo recorded one shot each. Meghan Groah made her second start of season in the goal for the Spartans and made five saves in the first half.  

Following the halftime break, the Spartans were able to find another gear, applying pressure to the Cougars' defense while cleaning up defensive mistakes. The regrouping at halftime proved vital as Russo redirected a header out of the air and into the center of the net in the 61st minute of play. Russo's header was the result of a cross from Paige Armstrong after connecting with Palina Jordan. The Big South Offensive Player of the Week's goal was enough to keep the Spartans in the game and hungry, which paid off in the 76th minute after Armstrong provided the game tying goal. Armstrong tallied her second goal of the season with a left-footed shot slotted to the far low side netting. Russo was credited with the assist as was Margret Edda Bjarnadottir who provided Armstrong the through ball for the goal scoring opportunity.  

Game Information     
Score: USC Upstate 2; College of Charleston 2  
Record: USC Upstate (3-1-1; 0-0 Big South) vs. College of Charleston (5-1-1; 0-0 CAA)    
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.      

  
How It Happened    

• 4'- Dara Russo claimed the first shot of the match as she sent one to bottom left but was stopped by Cougars' keeper Savannah Barron.  

• 6'- Shea Vidovic recorded the Cougars' first shot of the game in the sixth minute but was greeted by Spartan goalkeeper Meghan Groah for her first save of the match. 

• 13'- Maddy DeCola has back-to-back shots, one of which was on target, in an attempt to get Upstate on the board.  

• 21'- Bubbles Denver scored the first goal of the game after connecting with Emma Wenner's through ball and getting enough space for a low shot to center (1-0). 

• 31'- Millie Cluxton extended the Cougar's lead with a shot from the back post off a pass from Lilli Ray (2-0). 

• 35'- Groah collected her final save of the half off a shot low center from Bella Antonio. 

• At halftime, Upstate led the College of Charleston in saves (5-3), but trail in shots (12-4), and was tied for corner kicks (1-1). 

• 52'- Groah made her first save of the second half as Bubbles Denver sent one towards the bottom right corner.  

• 61'- Dara Russo got the Spartans on the board as her header was redirected into the net after Paige Armstrong connected with Palina Jordan for the cross (2-1). 

• 76'- Armstrong tallied the tying goal after Margret Edda Bjarnadottir found her on a through ball (2-2). 

• 81'- Denver once again put pressure on Groah, this time with a shot to the top right of the net, but Groah was successful at keeping the Cougars' offense out.  

• 88'- Nya Baccelli recorded the final shot of the match for the Spartans, in the form of a strike to low center, but it was Barron who would collect the final save.  

• At the final whistle, Upstate led in corner kicks (4-2), was tied for shots on goal (9-9) and saves (7-7), but trailed in shots (23-13). 

Notable    

• This is the second straight season Upstate has tied the College of Charleston.  

• Margret Edda Bjarnadottir recorded her first assist of the season while Palina Jordan recorded her first assist as a Spartan. 

• Dara Russo and Paige Armstrong have both scored in Upstate's last two contests. 

• Meghan Groah set a new career-high for saves (7). 

UP Next for the Spartans     
Upstate will finish the week with a short drive to Greenville, S.C. where the Spartans will play the Paladins of Furman University Sunday, Sept. 8 at 2:00 p.m.      

Connect with the Spartans     
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