Four Spartans Named to the Big South Midseason Watch List
9/17/2026 10:05:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Following a strong start to the 2026 season, USC Upstate women's soccer saw four Spartans earn recognition on the Big South Midseason Players to Watch List, as Annabelle Wunderlich, Hannah Wilt, Liana Bryant and Danielle Trovato were selected by the conference.
The four selections come as the Spartans prepare to enter Big South play with a 4-2-3 overall record. Upstate closed its non-conference slate Wednesday night with a scoreless draw against USC Aiken, controlling much of the match with a 12-4 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in shots on goal.
Liana Bryant has led the Upstate attack through the non-conference portion of the schedule. The senior forward has recorded six goals and three assists for 15 points, leading the Spartans in both goals and points. Bryant has also scored three game-winning goals and has consistently created opportunities in the attacking third. Against USC Aiken, Bryant started and played 83 minutes while recording a team-high three shots with one on goal, bringing her season total to 22 shots.
Bryant has recorded a goal or assist in six matches this season, highlighted by a pair of two-goal performances against Hampton and Wofford. Her production has helped establish her as one of the top attacking threats in the Big South heading into conference play.
Annabelle Wunderlich has continued to make an impact on both ends of the field for the Spartans. The senior defender has started all nine matches this season and has contributed two goals and two assists for six points from the back line. Wunderlich played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's scoreless draw against USC Aiken, helping the Spartans limit the Pacers to just four total shots and one shot on goal. She also contributed one shot offensively.
Wunderlich's 90-minute performance against USC Aiken brought her season total to 788 minutes, making her one of Upstate's most-used field players. Her defensive work has been complemented by an ability to contribute in the attacking third, with goals against Davidson and Queens and assists against Hampton and Furman.
In goal, Hannah Wilt has been a key presence for Upstate throughout the non-conference schedule. The redshirt junior has appeared in eight matches, logging 675 minutes while recording 41 saves, a .804 save percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average. Wilt's 41 saves have helped anchor an Upstate defense that has kept the Spartans in several tightly contested matches this season.
Wilt did not appear against USC Aiken, with Kayla Cervantes earning the start and recording the shutout, but Wilt's body of work through the first eight matches helped earn her a spot among the conference's midseason players to watch.
Danielle Trovato has been one of Upstate's most consistent players on the back line. The senior defender has started all nine matches and played another full 90 minutes against USC Aiken, helping Upstate record its second shutout of the season. Trovato also provided one of the Spartans' six shots on goal in the match, forcing a save in the 66th minute.
Trovato has now played a team-high 810 minutes, appearing in every available minute for the Spartans through nine matches. She has also contributed offensively with one goal and one assist for three points this season. Her performance against Hampton earlier in the year earned her Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors after she helped Upstate post a shutout while adding a goal.
The four Midseason Players to Watch selections highlight a strong non-conference showing for the Spartans. Upstate enters Big South play at 4-2-3, having scored 17 goals while allowing just 10 through nine matches.
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