Men's Soccer Picks Up Ingles I-26 Rivalry Win at Asheville - University of South Carolina

Saturday, October 24

Asheville, N.C.

2:00 PM

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

5-11-0, 3-3-0

UNC Asheville

9-5-1, 3-3-0

Team	1	2	Final F
USC Upstate	1	1	2
UNC Asheville	0	1	1

Game Notes

Photo by Lenny Montgomery

10/24/2026 6:13:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Behind a two-goal performance from Henry Burt and a pair of crucial penalty-kick saves from goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin, the USC Upstate men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over UNC Asheville Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Field.

The Spartans struck early and never surrendered their advantage, with Burt finding the back of the net in each half to secure three important Big South Conference points. Oscar Kelly played a key role in the offensive effort, assisting on both goals, while Wuerslin delivered a standout performance between the posts to preserve the victory.

With the win, USC Upstate improves to 5-11-0 overall and 3-3-0 in Big South Conference play, while UNC Asheville falls to 9-5-1 overall and 3-3-0 in league action.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half

USC Upstate wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, creating several early opportunities before breaking through in the 13th minute.

After Jacob Cromedy forced UNC Asheville goalkeeper Lucca Barros into a save in the 12th minute, the Spartans continued applying pressure through consecutive corner kicks. That persistence paid off at the 12:31 mark when Burt connected on a scoring opportunity set up by Josh Zawlocki and Kelly, giving Upstate an early 1-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs responded with increased offensive pressure, forcing Wuerslin into action on multiple occasions. The Upstate goalkeeper turned away attempts from Kayoum Mbamba and Louie Salkeld to maintain the Spartans' one-goal lead.

UNC Asheville received a golden opportunity to equalize in the 20th minute when the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick. However, Wuerslin rose to the occasion, denying Tyler Ware's attempt at the 19:22 mark to preserve Upstate's advantage.

The Bulldogs continued searching for an equalizer throughout the remainder of the half, but Wuerslin delivered another stop against Charlie Wood in the 40th minute.

Despite being outshot 8-4 in the opening 45 minutes, the Spartans carried a 1-0 lead into the halftime break behind four saves from Wuerslin.

Second Half

Upstate carried its momentum into the second half, generating another offensive opportunity before doubling its advantage in the 55th minute.

At the 54:58 mark, Burt struck for the second time, capitalizing on assists from Kelly and Cromedy to extend the Spartans' lead to 2-0. The goal marked Burt's second of the afternoon and proved to be the eventual game-winner.

UNC Asheville refused to go away quietly, responding just over six minutes later when Mbamba scored an unassisted goal at the 60:57 mark to cut Upstate's advantage to 2-1.

The Bulldogs threatened to erase the deficit almost immediately, earning their second penalty kick of the afternoon in the 62nd minute. Once again, Wuerslin delivered in a critical moment, turning away another attempt from Ware at 61:47 to keep the Spartans in front.

With the momentum hanging in the balance, Upstate's defense remained composed down the stretch, holding off UNC Asheville's attempts to find the equalizer.

The Spartans generated seven second-half shots while successfully protecting their one-goal lead through the final whistle to secure the 2-1 road victory.

NOTABLES

Henry Burt recorded a brace, scoring both of USC Upstate's goals, including the game-winner in the 55th minute. He finished with three shots, including two on goal.
Oscar Kelly played a role in both scoring opportunities, collecting two assists.
Josh Zawlocki and Jacob Cromedy each contributed an assist, with Cromedy also recording two shots.
Jarrett Wuerslin finished with five saves in 90 minutes of action, highlighted by two penalty-kick stops against Tyler Ware.
Jayden Montgomery tied Burt for the team lead with three shots.
USC Upstate finished with 11 shots, including seven in the second half, while UNC Asheville recorded 15 attempts.
The Spartans earned six corner kicks compared to seven for the Bulldogs.
With the victory, Upstate improves to 3-3-0 in Big South play, moving level with UNC Asheville in the conference standings on nine points apiece.
The victory gives USC Upstate three valuable conference points as the regular season approaches its conclusion.

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