CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the first time since becoming a Big South conference member (2018), USC Upstate women's soccer was tabbed to finish first in the Big South Preseason Poll.
Closing a spectacular 2024 campaign, the Spartans won both the regular season and tournament titles for the first time, earning an NCAA tournament berth. Entering the 2025 season, Upstate returns seven starters and 18 overall players from last season.
Earning her third consecutive Big South preseason honor,
Dara Russo was named Preseason Forward of the Year. Russo is the two-time reigning Big South Offensive Player of the Year as well as a three-time All-Conference honoree, and is the league's active career leader in goals (30) and points (68). In 2024, Russo started all 19 matches and totaled a conference-best 23 points behind nine goals and five assists. She scored nine goals on 56 shots (27 on goal), with scores against Queens, VMI, College of Charleston, South Dakota State, High Point (regular-season and tournament), Winthrop and Presbyterian (tournament). Russo also became Upstate women's soccer's all-time leading scorer this past season with her goal against High Point on October 12. A member of the Big South All-Tournament Team, Russo accumulated 1,396 minutes and two complete matches last season, and tallied a point in ten different matches.
Catarina Dantas was tabbed the Big South Preseason Defender of the Year. Dantas, named the 2024 Big South Tournament MVP, is a two-time All-Conference selection during her time at Upstate. She appeared and started in 18 matches last season and totaled two points behind two assists from her defender spot. Dantas tallied 12 shots (seven on goal) and accumulated 1,488 minutes on the pitch with six complete matches. Dantas was the Big South Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 20.
New for the 2025 season was the Big South Top Returners to Watch List, broken up by position. The list was highlighted by seven different Spartans.
Top Returners To Watch for 2025
FORWARDS
Jenéa Knight, Charleston Southern. R-Sr.
Anya Tribune, Gardner-Webb, Soph.
Sabba Haghgoo, High Point, Soph.
Peyton Curney, Longwood, Jr.
Emma Jones, Longwood, Sr.
Lina Müller, Presbyterian College, R-Jr.
Sloan Spees, Presbyterian College, Sr.
Paige Olson, Radford, Sr.
Nao Kawasaki, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Dara Russo, USC Upstate, Sr.
Riley O'Bryan, USC Upstate, Soph.
Sophia Balliett, Winthrop, Jr.
MIDFIELDERS
Jessica Boyle, Charleston Southern, Sr.
Peyton Bryant, Gardner-Webb, R-Jr.
Kari Powell, High Point, R-Soph.
Meghan Piazza, Longwood, Jr.
Lindsey Malyszek, Presbyterian College, Sr.
Ella Williams, Presbyterian College, Sr.
Lilly Short, Radford, Sr.
Azalea Mihailovich, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Paige Armstrong, USC Upstate, Sr.
Monssi Avila-Gutierrez, Winthrop, Jr.
Evyn Schokora, Winthrop, Soph.
DEFENDERS
Name, School, Class
Kiah Cirino, Charleston Southern, Sr.
Claire DeAngelis, Charleston Southern, Jr.
Delaney Evers, Charleston Southern, R-Soph.
Camila Lezcano, Gardner-Webb, Sr.
Caroline Dewey, High Point, Soph.
Kasey Resker, High Point, Soph.
Sydney Robertson, Longwood, Sr.
Bernice Wayland, Longwood, Soph.
Lyla Chadd, Presbyterian College, Jr.
Cassidy Oldham, Presbyterian College, Soph.
Jill Silverstone, Radford, Sr.
Shae Hassig, UNC Asheville, Sr.
Catarina Dantas, USC Upstate, Sr.
Savannah Noll, USC Upstate, Sr.
Hailey Sapinoro, USC Upstate, R-Sr.
Emily Rangel, USC Upstate, Sr.
Kylie Full, Winthrop, Sr.
GOALKEEPERS
Aubrey McKessy, High Point, Gr.
Sara Curtis, Longwood, Gr.
Lexi Radvanyi, Radford, Jr.
Gracie Murray, UNC Asheville, Sr.
2025 Big South Preseason Poll
- USC Upstate
- High Point
- Radford
- Longwood
- Charleston Southern
- Presbyterian
- UNC Asheville
- Winthrop
- Gardner-Webb
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