CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced the women's soccer midseason watch list this afternoon. Each team could select any five players to be included on the watch list based on their season-to-date performance during the non-conference portion of the season. A total of five different Spartans were named to the list, which was broken up by position.
Dara Russo represented Upstate under the forward category. The 2025 Big South Preseason Forward of the Year leads the Spartans in goals with four, tallying one assist. Russo also leads in points (9), shots (17), shots on goal (10), and minutes played with 584.
Paige Armstrong was one of the Spartans listed under midfielders. Armstrong sits behind Russo in points, having four behind one goal and two assists. She has logged 530 minutes in the midfield so far this season, totaling nine shots, four on goal.
Also represented in the midfielder category was
Audrey Baer. So far this season, Baer has tallied one assist and two shots, both on goal. She has also played in all eight matches for the Spartans so far this season.
Tabbed the 2025 Big South Preseason Defender of the Year,
Catarina Dantas was one of the Spartans listed under defenders. Dantas has played three complete matches this season, logging a total of 569 minutes along the backline. She has also tallied an assist.
Adrianna Pepe was also named to the watch list under defenders. Pepe has appeared in all eight matches and has logged 516 minutes.
2025 Big South Midseason Watch List
FORWARDS - Name, School, Class
Dara Russo, USC Upstate, Sr. (Preseason Forward of the Year)
Sam Fischer, Longwood, Fr.
Lilly Graumann, UNC Asheville, Fr.
Emma Jones, Longwood, Sr.
Jenéa Knight, Charleston Southern. R-Sr.
Paige Olson, Radford, Sr.
Annie Slovak, Gardner-Webb, Gr.
Sloan Spees, Presbyterian College, Sr.
Olivia Tribolet, Gardner-Webb, Jr.
MIDFIELDERS - Name, School, Class
Lilly Short, Radford, Sr. (Preseason Midfielder of the Year)
Paige Armstrong, USC Upstate, Sr.
Audrey Baer, USC Upstate, Sr.
Amélie Boyle, Charleston Southern, Soph.
Peyton Bryant, Gardner-Webb, R-Jr.
Bella Burr, High Point, Jr.
Lindsey Malyszek, Presbyterian College, Sr.
Cordelia McIntosh, Winthrop, Soph.
Ary Oliver, Radford, Fr.
Meghan Piazza, Longwood, Jr.
Hailey Swenson, Charleston Southern, Fr.
Allie Williams, Presbyterian College, Soph.
DEFENDERS - Name, School, Class
Catarina Dantas, USC Upstate, Sr. (Preseason Defender of the Year)
Camila Lezcano, Gardner-Webb, Sr.
Cassidy Oldham, Presbyterian College, Soph.
Adrianna Pepe, USC Upstate, Sr.
Sydney Robertson, Longwood, Sr.
Jill Silverstone, Radford, Sr.
Campbell Stoll, UNC Asheville, Soph.
Ella Williams, Presbyterian College, Sr.
GOALKEEPERS - Name, School, Class
Aubrey McKessy, High Point, Gr. (Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year)
Sara Curtis, Longwood, Gr.
Savannah Dixon, Gardner-Webb, R-Jr.
Avery Mason, Charleston Southern, Soph.
Gracie Murray, UNC Asheville, Sr.
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