For the Third Straight Season, Women's Soccer Heads to the Big South Championship Game After Advancing In Penalty Kicks 6-5 Over Longwood

Thursday, November 6

Matthews, N.C.

7:00 pm

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

10-6-2, 6-2-0

Longwood

9-7-3, 5-3-0

Longwood

USC Upstate

Photo by: Natalia Moll

11/7/2025 1:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MATTHEWS, N.C. – Beginning postseason play, #2 USC Upstate women's soccer took to the pitch against the #3 Longwood Lancers for a semifinal match in the Big South Championship. The Thursday night match proved to be a thriller, with regulation ending in a 1-1 draw. After the score remained tied throughout two overtime periods, the match was ultimately decided by PKs, going 6-5 in favor of the Spartans.

Putting Upstate on the board first was Paige Armstrong, netting her seventh goal of the season off the assist from Hannah Johnson. Savannah Noll and Morgan Nelson put up three shots, with Nelson aiming two on target.

In the first overtime period, Dara Russo and Morgan Nelson each had chances for the Spartans. The second overtime period saw Longwood have two opportunities, but both shots went wide.

In penalty kicks, Riley O'Bryan made the first attempt for Upstate. Morgan de Barros, Savannah Noll, Audrey Baer, and Morgan Nelson all made their attempts. Goalkeeper Madison Ejgird made a big save on Longwood's fifth attempt, and Paige Armstrong made her attempt to advance the Spartans.

Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 1; Longwood 1 (UPST Advances 6-5 in PKs)
Records: USC Upstate (10-6-2; 6-2-1) vs. Longwood (9-7-3; 1-5-3-1 Big South)
Location: Matthews Sportsplex | Matthews, N.C.

How It Happened
1^st Half: The match began evenly, with neither team attempting a shot until Paige Armstrong found the back of the net at 14-minute mark. Marley Gerber made her first save of the night just two minutes later. Longwood rattled off five more shots on target, with Gerber saving all of them before the half ended.
2^nd Half: Out of the halftime break, the Lancers capitalized off a penalty kick to knot the game 1-1. Each team traded shots for the remainder of the half.

Notable

Upstate advances to the Big South Championship Game for the third straight season

UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans face #4 High Point in the championship game at 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 9.

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