University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
3-2-1, 0-0-0
Eastern Kentucky
4-3-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Eastern Ky. | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Women's Soccer Unable to Complete Comeback Versus EKU
9/6/2026 3:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RICHMOND, Ky. – Playing the entire second half with 10 players, USC Upstate women's soccer battled back from a two-goal deficit and created a pair of late chances for an equalizer, but the Spartans ultimately fell 2-1 to Eastern Kentucky Sunday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field.
Eastern Kentucky jumped ahead early, scoring twice within the opening 13 minutes. Lauren Link opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Avery May doubled the Colonels' advantage at the 12:57 mark.
The Spartans were dealt another challenge late in the opening half when Cansu Kara was shown a red card in the 42nd minute, forcing Upstate to play a player down for the remainder of the match. Despite the disadvantage, the Spartans held Eastern Kentucky scoreless over the final 77 minutes.
Upstate began to find its attack in the second half and broke through in the 60th minute. Liana Bryant connected with Jasmyn Mitchner, who found the back of the net for her third goal of the season, cutting the EKU lead to 2-1. The assist gave Bryant another point in an already productive start to her first season as a Spartan.
The Spartans continued pushing despite playing short-handed. Upstate generated four of its five shots after halftime and earned its lone corner kick in the 79th minute.
Upstate made one final push over the closing minutes. Danielle Trovato put an attempt on frame in the 89th minute before Lily MacCausland forced another save with just 42 seconds remaining. Eastern Kentucky goalkeeper Ruby Morgan stopped both attempts to preserve the Colonels' one-goal advantage.
On the other end, goalkeeper Hannah Wilt helped keep the Spartans within striking distance throughout the afternoon. Wilt faced 24 Eastern Kentucky shots and finished with a season-high nine saves, including five after halftime while Upstate played with 10.
Eastern Kentucky finished with a 24-5 advantage in shots and an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Upstate's three attempts on frame came from Mitchner, Trovato and MacCausland. The Colonels held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks, while each side was called for 10 fouls.
With the result, USC Upstate moves to 3-2-1 on the season, while Eastern Kentucky improves to 4-3-0.
Notable
- Jasmyn Mitchner scored her third goal of the season.
- Liana Bryant recorded the assist on Mitchner's goal.
- Hannah Wilt recorded nine saves, her highest total of the 2026 season.
- Upstate played the entire second half with 10 players following a 42nd-minute red card.
- Despite playing short-handed, the Spartans outscored Eastern Kentucky 1-0 in the second half.
- Upstate held EKU scoreless over the final 77:03 of the match.
- The Spartans generated four of their five shots in the second half.
- Upstate put three of its five shots on goal.
- Mitchner has now scored three goals through the Spartans' first six matches.
- Upstate's two-match winning streak comes to an end as the Spartans move to 3-2-1.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Lauren Link (3)
GOAL by EKU Link, Lauren.
08:34
Avery May (3)
GOAL by EKU May, Avery.
12:57
Jasmyn Mitchner (3)
Assisted By: Liana Bryant
GOAL by USC Mitchner, Jasmyn Assist by Bryant, Liana.
59:46
