Thursday, August 20
Spartanburg, S.C.
6:00 PM
University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
vs
Davidson
Women's Soccer Hosts Davidson College in 2026 Home Opener
8/19/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
August 20, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0-1) vs. Davidson (1-0-0)
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Following a hard-fought draw on the road to begin the 2026 season, USC Upstate women's soccer returns to Spartanburg Thursday evening as the Spartans welcome Davidson to County University Soccer Stadium for their home opener. Kickoff between the Spartans and Wildcats is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Upstate enters Thursday's contest at 0-0-1 after earning a 1-1 draw against the College of Charleston Sunday evening at Patriots Point. The Spartans struck first in the ninth minute behind sophomore Liana Bryant, who finished a feed from Cansu Kara to record Upstate's first goal of the 2026 campaign. Charleston equalized in the 37th minute, but neither side found a winner over the final 53-plus minutes.
The Spartans generated plenty of opportunities in their season opener, finishing with a 13-12 advantage in shots while the teams were even with five shots on goal and seven corner kicks apiece. Upstate turned up the pressure after halftime, outshooting Charleston 8-5 and holding a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks during the second half.
The Match Up
Thursday marks the fifth all-time meeting between USC Upstate and Davidson, with the Spartans looking for their first victory in the series. Davidson owns a 2-0-2 advantage through the first four meetings, but the series has been much tighter when played in Spartanburg. Both previous meetings at County University Soccer Stadium ended in draws, including a scoreless tie in 2021 and a 1-1 result in 2022.
The programs renewed the series last season after a three-year break, with Davidson earning a 3-0 victory at Alumni Stadium in North Carolina.
Thursday's meeting will be the third time Davidson has visited County University Soccer Stadium and gives the Spartans another opportunity to secure their first series victory after going unbeaten in the Wildcats' first two trips to Spartanburg.
Davidson comes to Spartanburg with a 1-0-0 record after opening its season with a 1-0 road victory over defending Big South regular-season champion High Point on Sunday.
Davidson is led by head coach Riley Piechnick and competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Wildcats' trip to Spartanburg is the second of consecutive road matches to begin their regular season before returning home to host College of Charleston on Sunday.
Thursday marks the first home match of the Sam Odell era for USC Upstate. The Spartans' 2026 schedule features eight matches at County University Soccer Stadium, with Davidson serving as the first visitor in the new season.
Connect with the Spartans    Â
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics      Â
X (Twitter) | @UpstateWSoccer      Â
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer      Â
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans     Â
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
Â
USC Upstate (0-0-1) vs. Davidson (1-0-0)
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Following a hard-fought draw on the road to begin the 2026 season, USC Upstate women's soccer returns to Spartanburg Thursday evening as the Spartans welcome Davidson to County University Soccer Stadium for their home opener. Kickoff between the Spartans and Wildcats is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Upstate enters Thursday's contest at 0-0-1 after earning a 1-1 draw against the College of Charleston Sunday evening at Patriots Point. The Spartans struck first in the ninth minute behind sophomore Liana Bryant, who finished a feed from Cansu Kara to record Upstate's first goal of the 2026 campaign. Charleston equalized in the 37th minute, but neither side found a winner over the final 53-plus minutes.
The Spartans generated plenty of opportunities in their season opener, finishing with a 13-12 advantage in shots while the teams were even with five shots on goal and seven corner kicks apiece. Upstate turned up the pressure after halftime, outshooting Charleston 8-5 and holding a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks during the second half.
The Match Up
Thursday marks the fifth all-time meeting between USC Upstate and Davidson, with the Spartans looking for their first victory in the series. Davidson owns a 2-0-2 advantage through the first four meetings, but the series has been much tighter when played in Spartanburg. Both previous meetings at County University Soccer Stadium ended in draws, including a scoreless tie in 2021 and a 1-1 result in 2022.
The programs renewed the series last season after a three-year break, with Davidson earning a 3-0 victory at Alumni Stadium in North Carolina.
Thursday's meeting will be the third time Davidson has visited County University Soccer Stadium and gives the Spartans another opportunity to secure their first series victory after going unbeaten in the Wildcats' first two trips to Spartanburg.
Davidson comes to Spartanburg with a 1-0-0 record after opening its season with a 1-0 road victory over defending Big South regular-season champion High Point on Sunday.
Davidson is led by head coach Riley Piechnick and competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Wildcats' trip to Spartanburg is the second of consecutive road matches to begin their regular season before returning home to host College of Charleston on Sunday.
Thursday marks the first home match of the Sam Odell era for USC Upstate. The Spartans' 2026 schedule features eight matches at County University Soccer Stadium, with Davidson serving as the first visitor in the new season.
Connect with the Spartans    Â
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics      Â
X (Twitter) | @UpstateWSoccer      Â
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer      Â
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans     Â
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!
Â
Players Mentioned
FWD
/ Women's Soccer
DEF
/ Women's Soccer No videos available.
