CLINTON, S.C. – Boosting the number of goal-scorers that they've seen this season up to 10, the Presbyterian College women's soccer team dueled USC Upstate to a competitive 2-2 draw on Wednesday night at Martin Stadium. Sydney Lassiter and Allie Williams produced their first-ever collegiate scores as PC notched the equalizer twice.

Fighting tooth-and-nail with the same squad who fell one match shy of the NCAA Tournament last fall, the Blue Hose found the back of the net in the 33^rd and 49^th minutes after falling behind 1-0 and later 2-1.

Lassiter and Williams made the most of Presby's best opportunities in what was the first of eight Big South matches, ending in a 2-2 decision for the second straight time at home (referencing an earlier tie with Georgia State).

It will be a full week before PC returns to the pitch for its next league bout, visiting Charleston Southern on October 2 for a 3:00 PM start.

 
FINAL SCORE: Presbyterian, 2 – USC Upstate, 2
RECORDS: Presbyterian (5-3-2) – USC Upstate (3-3-3)
LOCATION: Martin Stadium (Clinton, S.C.)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
- In a meeting between two schools who were tied with each other in fewest goals allowed among the nine Big South members, the first half took an opposite trend with three scores before the break.

- The Spartans saw the first connection after a well-placed corner kick, heading the ball in from close-range with fewer than 15 minutes gone by.

- On a night where Presbyterian was without two of its best offensive weapons – Lina-Marie Müller and Lindsey Malyszek – others stepped up with big-time plays. Lassiter was one of those pleasant surprises, evening the odds with 12 minutes left until halftime.

- Williams set up her fellow freshman from straight away, and Lassiter squeaked by Upstate keeper Caitlyn Davis with a ball that doinked off both posts before settling in.

- Unfortunately for the home side, the score stayed at a stalemate for less than three minutes before the Spartans answered right back. A 35:20 score from PC's nearby rivals made it 2-1 Upstate at the midway point.

- Once again, head coach Matt Smith's club didn't fade away and spotted another match-tying kick with less than four minutes surpassed in the second period. Williams made it a three-point individual night after a defensive error from Upstate, bringing the game right back to square one.

- Neither side could jump in front after that, as Presby's defense dodged some close calls down the stretch to preserve the deadlock.

- Upstate nearly seized their second corner-kick goal of the night before being snuffed out by senior goalie Kelly Hall in the game's final stages. The Spartans came dangerously-close to a stunner with 21 ticks on the clock, although the would-be game-winner was wide right of the target.

 
UP NEXT
 
- A strong showing to begin Big South territory, the Blue Hose will aim for their first conference win next week when traveling to Charleston to face the Buccaneers. First touch is scheduled for 3:00 PM against an opponent who PC tied when they last faced off.

- Coach Smith's gang will be looking for its first W over the Bucs as the visiting team since 2019 (a 2-1 overtime finish). CSU trounced Winthrop on Thursday in their first Big South feature by a 4-1 clip, prepping for another divisional game versus UNC Asheville before turning their attention to PC.