Spartans Take on Georgia Southern, Gardner-Webb This Week
10/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2007
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Taking On the Eagles and Bulldogs
USC Upstate takes on non-conference opponent Georgia Southern Wednesday night at 7:00 at County University Soccer Stadium before hitting the road in A-Sun league play at Gardner-Webb Sunday night at 7:00. The Georgia Southern game will be available via the internet on ASun.TV.
Upstate and Georgia Southern will be meeting for the first time in men's soccer. The Spartans and Gardner-Webb have played each other four times with Upstate leading the series 3-0-1. The Spartans hold a 14-4 lead in scoring over the Bulldogs. The teams last played in 2000 when the Spartans claimed a 6-2 victory.
Recapping An Historic Week
USC Upstate returned home last week after playing seven of its first eight matches on the road. The homecoming was just what the Spartans needed as Upstate claimed a pair of A-Sun victories to improve to 2-8-0 overall and 2-2-0 with six points in the A-Sun.
The 4-2 victory over Lipscomb was monumental for three reasons. First, it gave Upstate it's first win of the season, breaking an eight-game losing streak. Second, it was the program's 400th victory. The Upstate men's soccer program has a long history of success. In 28 years, the Spartans have averaged nearly 15 wins a season, have finished second in the NCAA Division II Tournament twice (1995 and 1998), finished third in the NAIA National Tournament three straight years from 1983-85 and have never posted a losing season in 27 years. Third, the win gave Upstate it's first victory playing as a member of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference.
After Jack Burridge scored two goals to give Upstate a 2-0 lead against Lipscomb, the Bisons fought back to cut the lead to 2-1. Landon Fruge' scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 70th minute and Lipscomb battled back to get within 3-2. However, David Acosta's goal with under 10 minutes to play sealed the win.
After getting their first win of the season, the Spartans played with confidence Sunday against Belmont. Upstate took a 1-0 lead but saw the Bruins score two goals to open a 2-1 advantage. Fruge' knocked in the game-tying goal and Troy Simon scored the game winner from 22 yards out through traffic to deliver the win for the Spartans.
Hooks an Accomplished Field Leader
USC Upstate head coach Greg Hooks has had an accomplished 20-year coaching career. He has a career record of 273-81-23 with coaching stints at Spartanburg Methodist (1985), Lees-McRae (1986-87), University of Charleston (1991-94), and USC Upstate (1995-present). He started the programs at both Lees-McRae and University of Charleston, leading both programs to national rankings. He took over the Upstate program in 1995 and coached the team to an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship game and returned the team to the title game in 1998. He has led Upstate to 184 victories, five Peach Belt Conference regular season championships, six Peach Belt Conference Tournament titles, and five NCAA Tournament appearances. Hooks ended his reign in NCAA Division II as the division's second winningest coach all-time and currently ranks 20th all-time in the history of the NCAA, regardless of division standing.
Spartan Soccer - A Story of Success
While the USC Upstate Athletics Department has had a storied history of success throughout its existence, the men's soccer program has achieved success on a more consistent level than any other program at the University. Upstate men's soccer finished third in the NAIA National Tournament three straight years from 1983-85 and made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in 16 years in the NCAA Division II. The Spartans claimed seven regular season Peach Belt Conference championships, nine Peach Belt Conference Tournament titles, and advanced to the championship game of the league tournament 14 times in 16 years.
The Young and the Restless
USC Upstate returns a core group of players to the 2007 squad, however, the team will be marked by its youth. Of the 16 first-year players in the program, 15 are freshmen. Not only is the team young, it also has another battle to contend with - international acclimation. Half (eight) of the newcomers come from other nations and not only have to adjust quickly to soccer on the collegiate level, but also life in the United States.
Simon, McCabe Take Home A-Sun Weekly Honors
Troy Simon finished last week with a pair off assists in the 4-2 victory over Lipscomb Friday and the game-winning goal in the 3-2 win over Belmont Sunday. For his efforts he was named the A-Sun Player of the Week. The senior from Freeman's Village, Antigua, currently has two goals and two assists for six points on the year.
McCabe, a freshman from Irmo, S.C., earned the A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week honor after making 19 saves and facing 41 shots in goal last week. He made four saves on shots taken from inside the 6-yard box to preserve the wins Friday and Sunday for the Spartans.
Simon and McCabe become the first Upstate men's soccer players to earn weekly honors from the A-Sun. They also became the second and third Spartans to earn weekly/monthly honors from the league. Josh Gallman became Upstate's first league honoree last week when he was named the A-Sun Men's Golfer of the Month.
Burridge Breaks Out of His Shell
Freshman striker Jack Burridge started the season trying to figure out his role in the Spartan offensive scheme. He figured it out last week, scoring three goals to help lead Upstate to a pair of A-Sun victories. Burridge scored the first two goals of the 4-2 win over Lipscmob, then notched the first goal in the 3-2 win over Belmont.
Buxton Receives Preseason Honors
Junior defender Nick Buxton was a preseason All-Conference selection by the A-Sun coaches. The Towcester, England, native was an All-Conference and All-Region selection last year for the Spartans. Although a defender, he finished as the fifth leading scorer on the team with nine points on three goals and three assists.
