Saturday's MatchUP
March 27, 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST
WSOC: USC Upstate (0-3-1 Big South) vs UNC Asheville (0-5 Big South)
MSOC: USC Upstate (5-2-1, 5-0-1 Big South) vs High Point University (6-1-0, 4-0-0 Big South)
County University Soccer Stadium ¦ Spartanburg, South Carolina

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App (Both matches)
PxP: Mark Childress

Spartans look to build on record setting start
USC Upstate is 5-0-1 in Big South play, the best start against conference opponents for the Spartans since joining the Division I ranks in the fall of 2008 (including 10 seasons in the ASUN Conference). With a victory Saturday, it will mark the most victories versus Division I opponents in a season since 2008.

Series History
Since the beginning of Upstate's Division I era in 2009, the Spartans and Panthers have met on the pitch five times and the Spartans are 0-4-1 in those five matchups. In the most recent matchup between the two programs on November 6, 2019, the Spartans lost to the Panthers 3-2 on the road. The programs' combined season records of 11-1-1 is the highest combined record in the series' history.
 
Last Time Out
The Spartans won their fourth straight match this past Sunday in a 3-2 victory at UNC Asheville. Freshman Jeremy Montero did his part by netting two goals on the day to help Upstate remain as one of only two unbeaten teams in Big South play. The Spartans used a high press to continuously pin the Bulldogs back in their defensive third, and created a number of chances early directly off of turnovers forced by the high press. The Spartans' persistence finally paid off in the 30^th minute when Jeremy Montero found the breakthrough for the Spartans via the counter attack, and Montero grabbed his second goal barely a minute later to give the Spartans a commanding 2-0 advantage at halftime. Pol Monells added his sixth goal of the season just five minutes into the second half, and the Spartans managed to hold on for a 3-2 victory despite conceding two late goals to a motivated Bulldogs side.
 
High Point comes into the weekend matchup following a 3-0 win on the road this past Wednesday at Presbyterian. The Panthers defense was once against dominant, and earned a deserved shutout after not allowing the Blue Hose to register a single shot on target.
 
Ones to Watch
Upstate: Senior forward Pol Monells continued his strong season against UNC Asheville by scoring his sixth goal of the season. Monells is the perfect balance between the traditional winger, able to create space and provide service for his teammates from out wide, and the modern winger, capable of cutting inside and taking on defenders in order to provide the goals himself. His season stats reflect his versatility, as he currently leads the Spartans in goals, assists, and points with six, five, and 17, respectively. Additionally, Monells' six goals and five assists both rank eighth in their respective categories in DI, and his 17 points rank seventh in DI. Monells is the catalyst in Upstate's attack, having created at least one goal in all but one of Upstate's matches this season.  Freshman Jeremy Montero has proven to be quite the consistent finisher this season, having scored twice in Upstate's most recent game against UNC Asheville on just four shots. Additionally, Montero's consistent goal-scoring record has seen him garner more minutes each match, and move from being a super sub to one of the team's first choice forwards having started the last two games.
 
High Point: Sophomore forward MD Meyers continues to be the Panthers' most dangerous threat going forward, having scored a brace in High Point's most recent match against Presbyterian. Meyers has started all eight games for the Panthers this season, and leads the teams with ten goals in those eight games. Meyers' strong season sees him enter the weekend matchup as the conference leader in goals (10), goals per game (1.25), points (24), and points per game (3.00). While Meyers leads the Panthers' potent attack, freshman defender Finn McRobb has served as an anchor in a High Point back line that has conceded just three goals all season. McRobb has played in 702 of 720 possible minutes, trailing only starting goalkeeper Holden Trent, and has played the full 90 minutes in each of the Panthers' last three matches. While he is known primarily for the scoring chances that he prevents, McRobb has managed to score a goal and provide an assist for the Panthers this season.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on Gardner-Webb on Saturday, April 3^rd, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. This contest will be the last of the regular season for the Spartans, who will then look ahead to the Big South Conference Tournament.
 
Women's Soccer Preview
 
USC Upstate (0-3-1 Big South) has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this season with an All-Big South Conference schedule slate. At home this season the Spartans are averaging a goal game as freshman Ashley Finn (Wake Forest, N.C.) and Raegan Meyer (Wake Forest, N.C.) have both scored at home this season. In the goal, Cora Brendle (Boiling Springs, S.C.) and Haylee Grudzien (York, S.C.) have split time in the goal this season and have combined for 31 saves.
 
USC Upstate and UNC Asheville are meeting for the ninth time since the 2012 season. The last three matchups have been decided by a single goal. Last season, the Bulldogs scored in the 107^th minute of a double overtime match to take the victory over the Spartans. However, USC Upstate won the last meeting at County University Soccer Stadium by a final score of 1-0. Abbie Ellis' penalty kick goal in the 52 minute of the contest proved to be the difference maker as the Spartans went on to out shoot the Bulldogs 23-1.  
 
Celebrating Homecoming at USC Upstate
2021 Homecoming festivities at USC Upstate will culminate Saturday at County University Soccer Stadium. Among the activities during the day, over two dozen alumni from both the women's and the men's soccer programs will be recognized at halftime of the respective matches.  The Spartans women's program celebrates 20 years this season, and the men's program celebrates 40 years this season.  Many of the members of the early #RifleBoys brotherhood who achieved great success during USCS's Division II days are scheduled to attend. 
 
At halftime of the women's match (approximately 2:45 pm), the winner of the 2021 Spirit of Upstate Award will be announced, and a handful of current Upstate students will be recognized as Rising Spirits of Upstate. At halftime of the men's match (approximately 5:45 pm), the 2021 USC Upstate Alumni Association will honor this year's Alumni Association Award Winners, who will serve as honorary captains for the match, and recognize men's soccer alumni who are in attendance.
 
 
Home Game Attendance Information
Due to social distancing protocols for all outdoor venues at USC Upstate, attendance in the grandstands will be limited this spring. Fans are required to wear face coverings, and tailgate chairs are encouraged for fans to utilize the grass berms at Harley Baseball Park, Cyrill Softball Stadium and County-University Soccer Stadium. Spectators will be asked not to congregate in groups of six or more and maintain at least six feet from others on the grass areas. Admission for these events is complimentary thanks to our on-going partnership with Ingles Markets. For more information, click here.
 
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