#2 USC Upstate Advances to Big South Championship Match in PKs
By USC Upstate Athletics
MATTHEWS, N.C. – Beginning postseason play, #2 USC Upstate women's soccer took to the pitch against the #3 Longwood Lancers for a semifinal match in the Big South Championship. The Thursday night match proved to be a thriller, with regulation ending in a 1-1 draw. After the score remained tied throughout two overtime periods, the match was ultimately decided by PKs, going 6-5 in favor of the Spartans.
BOX SCORE
Putting Upstate on the board first was Paige Armstrong, netting her seventh goal of the season off the assist from Hannah Johnson. Savannah Noll and Morgan Nelson put up three shots, with Nelson aiming two on target.
In the first overtime period, Dara Russo and Morgan Nelson each had chances for the Spartans. The second overtime period saw Longwood have two opportunities, but both shots went wide.
In penalty kicks, Riley O'Bryan made the first attempt for Upstate. Morgan de Barros, Savannah Noll, Audrey Baer, and Morgan Nelson all made their attempts. Goalkeeper Madison Ejgird made a big save on Longwood's fifth attempt, and Paige Armstrong made her attempt to advance the Spartans.
How It Happened
1st Half: The match began evenly, with neither team attempting a shot until Paige Armstrong found the back of the net at 14-minute mark. Marley Gerber made her first save of the night just two minutes later. Longwood rattled off five more shots on target, with Gerber saving all of them before the half ended.
2nd Half: Out of the halftime break, the Lancers capitalized off a penalty kick to knot the game 1-1. Each team traded shots for the remainder of the half.
Notable
Upstate advances to the Big South Championship Game for the third straight season
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans face #4 High Point in the championship game at 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 9.