ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA — USC Upstate's offense finally broke through in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to blank UNC Asheville 3-0 on Wednesday night. The Spartans, riding a two-game winning streak, controlled much of the match but couldn't find the net until Morgan Nelson's breakthrough in the 53rd minute. The victory improved USC Upstate's record to 10-6-1, while the Bulldogs fell to 5-9-3 after their third consecutive loss.
The opening 45 minutes saw both teams create chances without capitalizing. UNC Asheville's Akari Kishida fired two shots early that went wide, while Riley O'Bryan and Dara Russo tested the Bulldogs' defense for the visitors. The first half remained scoreless despite USC Upstate's territorial advantage, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested. Paige Armstrong and Dara Russo each had attempts go high and wide as the Spartans pressed forward without precision in the final third.
USC Upstate's patience paid off early in the second half when Nelson finally found the back of the net in the 53rd minute, assisted by Riley O'Bryan. The goal seemed to unlock something for the Spartans, who had dominated possession throughout but struggled with finishing. Nelson's breakthrough came after a period of sustained pressure that UNC Asheville couldn't withstand.
Savannah Noll doubled the lead in the 77th minute, extending USC Upstate's advantage and effectively putting the match out of reach. The Bulldogs offered little resistance in the final stages, with their defense increasingly stretched. Paige Armstrong capped the scoring in the 80th minute to seal a convincing victory that reflected the Spartans' overall control of the contest.
The statistics told the story of USC Upstate's dominance. The Spartans outshot UNC Asheville 14-10 overall and 6-5 on target. USC Upstate also claimed four corner kicks to the Bulldogs' three, controlling the tempo throughout. Defensively, the visitors' goalkeeper made five saves compared to three for UNC Asheville's keeper, though the Bulldogs rarely threatened in the second half.
Riley O'Bryan was instrumental for USC Upstate, creating chances and assisting on the opening goal. Armstrong's late strike capped an active performance from the Spartans' attacking unit. For UNC Asheville, the Bulldogs couldn't generate sustained offensive pressure, with Kishida's early chances representing their best opportunities of the match.
The loss extends UNC Asheville's struggles after dropping consecutive matches to High Point and Longwood last week. The Bulldogs have managed just one win in their last five outings and face an uphill battle to salvage their season. USC Upstate, meanwhile, has found its rhythm with back-to-back victories following an earlier loss to Gardner-Webb.
USC Upstate returns to action this weekend looking to build on its recent form, while UNC Asheville will seek to stop the bleeding in its next conference matchup. The Spartans' ability to finally convert chances after a scoreless first half could prove significant as they push toward the postseason.