University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Radford
Women's Soccer Opens Conference Play, Hosting Radford
9/18/2026 2:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's soccer turns its attention to Big South Conference play Saturday evening as the Spartans welcome Radford to County University Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the match available to watch on ESPN+.
MATCH INFORMATION
Matchup: USC Upstate (4-2-3, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. Radford (2-5-1, 0-0-0 Big South)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
Watch: ESPN+ |Â https://tinyurl.com/3prcmks7
Live Stats:Â https://tinyurl.com/4x9vcxma
Saturday marks the beginning of Big South play for both programs as Upstate looks to carry a strong non-conference showing into the league portion of its schedule. The Spartans enter the conference opener with a 4-2-3 overall record and are unbeaten through their first three matches at County University Soccer Stadium, posting a 2-0-1 mark at home.
Upstate closed its non-conference slate Wednesday with a scoreless draw against USC Aiken. The Spartans controlled much of the match, holding a 12-4 advantage in shots, a 6-1 edge in shots on goal and a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. Kayla Cervantes made the lone save required of her as Upstate recorded its second shutout of the season.
Through nine matches, Upstate has scored 17 goals while allowing 10. The Spartans have placed 49 of their 89 shots on target and have generated 47 corner kicks. Upstate has also received contributions throughout its lineup, with seven different Spartans finding the back of the net this season.
Liana Bryant continues to lead the Upstate attack with six goals and three assists for a team-high 15 points. Bryant has scored three game-winning goals while putting 16 of her 22 shot attempts on frame. Freshman Jasmyn Mitchner follows with four goals and three assists for 11 points, while Annabelle Wunderlich and Katelyn Economopoulos have contributed two goals apiece.
The Spartans have also been strong defensively entering conference play. Upstate has conceded just 10 goals through nine matches, with Hannah Wilt and Cervantes handling the goalkeeping duties. The Spartans' defense is coming off one of its strongest performances of the year after allowing USC Aiken just four total shots Wednesday.
SCOUTING RADFORD
Radford makes the trip to Spartanburg with a 2-5-1 record after wrapping up non-conference play with a 1-1 draw against ETSU. The Highlanders took an early lead in that match behind Ciaira Anderson's fourth goal of the season before ETSU found an equalizer in the second half. Goalkeeper Lexi Radvanyi made six saves in the draw.
Anderson leads the Highlanders offensively with four goals and eight points, while Brooke Pearson has scored three times and Ava Kertgate has recorded one goal and a team-high three assists. Radford has scored 12 goals through eight matches, averaging 1.50 per contest, while allowing 16.
Radvanyi has been a key piece of the Highlander defense and enters the weekend after being named the Big South Defensive Player of the Week. She and defender Caitlyn Nottingham were also selected to the Big South Midseason Watch List after entering the year as the league's preseason goalkeeper and defender of the year, respectively.
Saturday begins an eight-match Big South slate for the Spartans. Following the conference opener, Upstate hits the road for back-to-back league matches, traveling to Charleston Southern on Sept. 23 before facing Longwood on Sept. 26. The Spartans return home Sept. 30 to host Presbyterian.
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