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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Swain
Rob Simmons
1
Winner Radford RAD (11-3-4)
0
USC Upstate UPST (9-5-4)
Winner
Radford RAD
(11-3-4)
1
Final
0
USC Upstate UPST
(9-5-4)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Radford RAD 0 1 1
USC Upstate UPST 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Swain’s Goal and Phillips’ Fourth Straight Shutout Leads Radford to Big South Championship Berth

MATTHEWS, N.C. – The Radford women's soccer program won its biggest game of the season so far over the second-seeded USC Upstate 1-0 on Thursday night. The victory seals a Big South Championship appearance for the Highlanders, their first since 2019.

Coming into tonight's semifinals match-up, the Highlanders were well aware that moving on to Sunday's Championship match would be no easy feat. USC Upstate came into Highlander territory earlier this season and were the victors 2-0, a result Radford would make bulletin board material in a game that seemed destined for a rematch in the playoffs.

On neutral turf at the Matthews Sportsplex just outside of Charlotte, N.C., Radford would ensure that result would remain in the past. In the first half the Highlanders came out firing amounting 11 shots to the Spartans six. Radford had multiple opportunities with good looks by the offense but the recently announced Big South Goalkeeper of the Year Cora Brendle proved true to her earned hardware.

In the 10th minute Parris got her first open shot of the night that was corralled just short of the net. Later on in the 30th minute, despite being constantly triple-teamed by Spartans, Parris navigated her way to another open shot that a great save was put on to keep things scoreless until halftime.

Radford had a scare of its own in the 23rd minute when USC Upstate had a one-on-one match-up with Jordan Phillips the only person in-between a 1-0 deficit. The 2022 Big South Freshman of the Year Dara Russo had the open shot, but Phillips made an incredible game-saving stop to keep things scoreless headed into the halftime break.

Moving into the second half Radford ensured that offensive intensity did not slow down. In the 61st minute, things finally came together. Katelyn O'Donnell and Alexeis Kirnos connected for passes deep inside USC Upstate territory. Needing just one more pass, O'Donnell threaded the ball through the opposing defense to find Amy Swain. Swain twisted and did not hesitate to send a curving shot past the outstretched goalie and give Radford a 1-0 lead.

The Radford bench erupted, and the team collided at midfield as a scoreless tie that felt impossible to break finally broke free. Thirty long minutes awaited the Highlanders as they looked to hold on and advance. Those thirty strenuous minutes ticked by as Radford did a great job at limiting USC Upstate scoring chances.

USC Upstate would only manage three shots over those final minutes with just one coming on goal. The Radford defense was unbreakable thanks to stellar play by Phillips, Helena Willson, Saleena Lynch and Jillian Silverstone among others. Thanks to some nifty time-draining play in the Spartans corner, the clock ran out of time and Radford clinched the victory.

"What a slugfest," commented head coach Ben Sohrabi after the win. "Two teams that really wanted it and you could see it for 90 minutes. It was a game that could have easily had three goals scored by either team, but we found a way to keep our shutout and put one in the back of the net. I'm so proud of this group for many reasons and just happy they have this opportunity."

The opportunity the Highlanders will have this upcoming weekend is sure to be an exciting one. The fourth-seeded Gardner-Webb upset the regular season champions Campbell earlier today to earn their spot in the Big South Championship and will play opponent to the Highlanders. Sunday, November 6th, Radford will look to bring home a trophy with kickoff set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

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