University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
5-2-3, 1-0-0
Charleston Southern
2-7-0, 1-1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Charleston Southern | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Lily MacCausland Nets Game-Winning Goal as the Spartans Defeat the Buccaneers
9/23/2026 6:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. – USC Upstate women's soccer opened its Big South slate with a road victory Wednesday afternoon, using a late goal from Lily MacCausland to defeat Charleston Southern, 2-1, at the CSU Soccer Field.
With the victory, the Spartans improve to 5-2-3 overall and 1-0-0 in Big South play, while Charleston Southern falls to 2-7-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference action. Upstate finished the afternoon with a 10-9 advantage in shots, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.
After the two sides played through a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Upstate broke through in the 60th minute. Cansu Kara helped create the opportunity, setting up Danielle Trovato, who found the back of the net at the 59:52 mark to give the Spartans a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Trovato's second of the season, while Kara picked up the assist.
Charleston Southern responded in the 74th minute after being awarded a penalty kick. Danika Birch converted from the spot at 73:49, pulling the Buccaneers level at 1-1.
The Spartans needed just over eight minutes to regain the lead.
In the 82nd minute, Katelyn Economopoulos connected with MacCausland, who delivered the eventual game-winning goal at 81:49 to push Upstate back in front, 2-1. The strike was MacCausland's second goal of the season and her first game-winner.
From there, the Upstate defense held firm. Charleston Southern earned a pair of corner kicks in the closing five minutes but was unable to produce an equalizer, with its final shot of the afternoon going wide in the 90th minute.
Goalkeeper Hannah Wilt played all 90 minutes for the Spartans, making two saves while allowing just the penalty-kick goal. MacCausland and Liana Bryant led Upstate with two shots apiece, while MacCausland, Trovato, Kara, Bryant and Annabelle Wunderlich each placed a shot on frame.
Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 2, Charleston Southern 1
Records: USC Upstate 5-2-3 (1-0-0 Big South) | Charleston Southern 2-7-0 (1-1-0 Big South)
Location: CSU Soccer Field | Charleston, S.C.
Scoring Summary
- 59:52 – USC Upstate: Danielle Trovato (2), assisted by Cansu Kara
- 73:49 – Charleston Southern: Danika Birch (3), penalty kick
- 81:49 – USC Upstate: Lily MacCausland (2), assisted by Katelyn Economopoulos
Notable
- Upstate outshot Charleston Southern 10-9 and held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Spartans generated five corner kicks, matching Charleston Southern's five.
- Trovato and MacCausland each scored their second goal of the season.
- MacCausland recorded the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute.
- Kara and Economopoulos each collected an assist.
- Wilt finished with two saves in the victory.
- Upstate scored both of its goals in the second half after entering halftime scoreless.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Danielle Trovato (2)
Assisted By: Cansu Kara
GOAL by UPST Trovato, Danielle Assist by Kara, Cansu.
59:52
Danika Birch (3)
CSU Danika Birch PENALTY KICK GOAL.
73:49
Lily MacCausland (2)
Assisted By: Katelyn Economopoulos
GOAL by UPST MacCausland, Lily Assist by Economopoulos, Katelyn.
81:49
