University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Radford
11/9/2026 10:26:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With a trip to the Big South Championship match on the line, the USC Upstate women's soccer team returns to action Tuesday evening as the top-seeded Spartans host No. 4 Radford in the semifinals of the 2026 Big South Women's Soccer Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at County University Soccer Stadium.
After capturing the second outright Big South regular-season championship in three seasons, the Spartans enter postseason play looking to secure their fourth consecutive appearance in the conference championship match and take another step toward their second Big South Tournament title.
Match Information
Matchup: No. 1 USC Upstate (12-2-4) vs. No. 4 Radford (8-7-1)
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
Watch: ESPN+ |Â https://tinyurl.com/3zcf29w3
Live Stats:Â https://tinyurl.com/4x9vcxma
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Spartans Enter Postseason with Momentum
USC Upstate enters Tuesday's semifinal following a historic regular season that saw the Spartans finish unbeaten in Big South Conference play with a 7-0-1 record and 22 conference points. The Spartans secured the conference's top seed and a first-round bye, earning the opportunity to host postseason soccer in Spartanburg under the Big South Coaching Staff of the Year.
Upstate closed the regular season with a dominant 4-0 victory over Gardner-Webb on October 28, officially clinching the Big South regular-season championship. Freshman Jasmyn Mitchner scored twice in the victory, while Annabelle Wunderlich added a goal and two assists and Liana Bryant found the back of the net for her 10th goal of the season.
The Spartans also enter the postseason following an impressive showing in the Big South's annual awards, collecting six major conference honors and 10 individual all-conference selections.
Bryant, the Big South Forward of the Year, leads Upstate's offensive attack with 10 goals and five assists for 25 points. Mitchner has also made an immediate impact in her debut season, recording nine goals while earning Big South Freshman of the Year honors.
Defensively, Upstate has been equally impressive, with Big South Defender and Newcomer of the Year Cansu Kara helping anchor the Spartan back line alongside Wunderlich. Goalkeeper Hannah Wilt has also played a key role in Upstate's success throughout the season.
The Spartans also had five All-Conference First Team Selections (Bryant, Wilt, Kara, Economopolous, Wunderlich), two All-Conference Section Team Selections (Trovato, MacCausland), two All-Freshman Selections (Black, Mitchner), and one All-Academic Selection (Bell).
Scouting the Highlanders
Radford enters Tuesday's matchup as the No. 4 seed after finishing the regular season with a 5-3-0 conference record.
The Highlanders advanced to the semifinals following a 2-0 victory over No. 5 Gardner-Webb in the opening round of the Big South Championship on November 5. Magda Carpenter opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Ava Kertgate added an insurance goal in the second half. Goalkeeper Lexi Radvanyi recorded three saves to secure the shutout.
Radford's offense is led by Ciaira Anderson, who finished the regular season with six goals, while Kertgate contributed a team-leading seven assists. Both earned Second-Team All-Big South recognition.
The Highlanders enter the semifinal looking to continue their postseason run after earning their ninth consecutive appearance in the Big South semifinals.
A Familiar Opponent
Tuesday's contest marks the second meeting between USC Upstate and Radford this season, with the Spartans having been awarded a 2-0 victory by forfeit following the suspension of their September 19 matchup.
Upstate held a 2-0 advantage when the contest was halted in the 74th minute due to inclement weather. Bryant accounted for both Spartan goals in the first half before play was suspended. The conference later awarded Upstate the victory, although individual statistics from the contest did not count toward official season totals.
With both teams' seasons on the line, Tuesday's semifinal provides an opportunity for the Spartans to build on their regular-season success and move one step closer to a conference tournament championship.
What's at Stake
The winner of Tuesday's matchup advances to the Big South Championship match on Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m., where it will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 UNC Asheville and No. 3 High Point.
As the tournament's top seed, USC Upstate would host the championship match with a victory over Radford.
The winner of the Big South Championship will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament.
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