SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's soccer program will begin the 2019 season on the road against the University of North Florida, kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
 
USC Upstate and North Florida are meeting for the first time since the Spartans left the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2018. Over the past decade the Spartans and the Osprey have played on 11 different occasions. North Florida holds the overall series record at 8-3 and the Osprey currently hold a six game winning streak against the Spartans dating back to the 2014 season. The Spartans lone winning streak in the series came between 2011 and 2013.
 
USC Upstate is 2-4 all-time in games played in Jacksonville, with their last victory coming in 2013. That season the Spartans defeated UNF 4-3 in come from behind action. UNF won the 2017 meeting in Jacksonville by a final score of 2-1. The Spartans lone goal in the matchup came in the 88^th minute of action.
 
The Spartans are looking for their first season opening win since the 2016 season. That year USC Upstate hosted Presbyterian College and defeated the Blue Hose 1-0 behind a Cam Philpot goal in the 17^th minute of action. The last time the Spartans won a road opener was against Presbyterian during the 2015 campaign. That season USC Upstate defeated Presbyterian 7-0 behind a four goal performance from Gordon Wild.
 
Joel Bunting (Charleston, S.C.), Ricky Maldonado (Salisbury, N.C.), Eirik Abney (Smyrna, Ga.) and Solomon Constant (Fairfield, Iowa) return to USC Upstate for their senior season. The quartet of seniors will look to lead a youthful squad to victory this season.
 
The Ospreys are predicted to finish third in the ASUN conference this season. Three ASUN All-Conference selections return to the pitch for North Florida, Nick Burgess, Bryson Smith and Nick Lodovico. Burgess has also been named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the fans.
 
North Florida returns 11 of its 20 goals scored last season led by Collin Scott's trio of goals. Padraic Gilley returns as the only goalie with experience for the Osprey. Garrett Anderson and Carlos Melendez will also battle for playing time in goal this season.
 
Links to the video broadcast and Live Stats can be found on www.upstatespartans.com. A recap of the game will be posted at the conclusion of the match.  
 
Follow USC Upstate men's soccer on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateMSoccer), Instagram (@upstatespartans) and YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics).