SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In their first home game of the 2025 season, USC Upstate women's soccer faced the Queens University of Charlotte Royals. The Spartans walked away victorious, finding the back of the net late in the second half for the 1-0 win.

Neither team could get past the keepers in the first half, despite Upstate holding a nine-to-two shot advantage. Out of the halftime break, both teams picked up the intensity of play. With two minutes remaining, Dara Russo finally gave the Spartans the 1-0 advantage, netting her second goal of the season off assists from Ella Jahromi and Audrey Baer. Russo led the team in shots with four, all of them aimed on target.

Midfielder Paige Armstrong also put up four shots, with two on goal. Caroline Simpkins added three shots, one aimed on target, followed by Riley O'Bryan with two shots.

Goalkeeper Avery Heeb earned the clean sheet, collecting four saves.

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

How It Happened
1^st Half: Riley O'Bryan took the first shot of the match at the three-minute mark, followed by Morgan de Barros minutes later. Dara Russo took her first shot of the night, but it was saved by the Royals' keeper. Avery Heeb made her first save of the night at the 33-minute mark to keep the score 0-0.
2^nd Half: Caroline Simpkins added her second shot of the night just a minute into the half. Upstate had three consecutive shots courtesy of Audrey Baer, Maddie Smith, and Caroline Simpkins. The last 10 minutes of the match were a flurry of action, with both sides trading shots along with crucial saves by both keepers. Dara Russo netted her game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.

Notable

• Dara Russo earned a season-high in shots on goal and minutes played. She now has 11 career game-winning goals.
• Emily Rangel played all 90 minutes of the match
• Paige Armstrong set a season-high in shots (4) and shots on goal (2), along with minutes played (81)
• Morgan de Barros earned a season-high in shots with one
• Ella Jahromi notched her first career assist
• Maddie Smith set a career-high in shots and shots on goal with one
• Angie Banks set a career-high in shots with one

 
UP Next for the Spartans
Remaining at home, the Spartans face Furman on Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 pm.

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