#1 USC Upstate Survives #5 Presbyterian, 2-1, For Title Match Berth
By USC Upstate Athletics
MATTHEWS, N.C. – After claiming the Big South regular season title, Upstate Women's Soccer earned the number one seed and a bye into the Big South Women's Soccer Championship tournament. The Spartans faced Presbyterian College in the semifinal game, claiming a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Each team would trade shots back and forth for the first half, but both goalkeepers let nothing past them, leaving the match equal at zero heading into the halftime break. Hailey Sapinoro claimed the match's first shot just two minutes into play. The first goal of the match occurred in the 80th minute off the foot of Paige Armstrong, who picked up the ball after a save on an initial shot by Savannah Noll. The Blue Hose found the equalizer just four minutes later.
Upstate remained unphased, netting the go-ahead goal two minutes later. It was none other than Big South Offensive Player of the Year Dara Russo, netting her eighth goal of the season off an assist by Catarina Dantas and Savannah Knoll. Russo's game-winning goal is her fourth this season and ninth of her career, marking a DI-era record. She led the Spartans in shots with three. Nya Baccelli, Hailey Sapinoro, and Paige Armstrong added two shots each. Goalkeeper Meghan Groah collected two saves on the night.
Scoring Summary
'80 – Spartan goal by Paige Armstrong, assist by Savannah Noll
'84 – The Blue Hose score the equalizing goal
'86 – Goal by Dara Russo, assisted by Catarina Dantas and Savannah Noll
Notable
Savannah Noll earned a new season high in assists with two
Hailey Sapinoro set a new season high in shots with two
The Spartans advance to the championship game for the second consecutive season
The Spartans will face High Point on Sunday in the Big South Championship game at 1:00 pm.