Saturday's MatchUP
September 25, 2021 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-4-1; 0-0-0 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (1-6-0; 0-0-0 Big South)
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ (PXP: Brian Hand; Analyst: Nick Banaszak) | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
Upstate and Gardner-Webb enter Saturday's match all even in the series with seven wins apiece and two draws in the series as the programs meet for the 17th time. In the Spartans' Division I era (2007 to pres.), Gardner-Webb has had the advantage in the series, claiming all seven of its victories in this time, but Upstate enters Saturday's Big South Conference opener with the momentum in the series after taking last season's meeting 2-1 in overtime.
 
Last Time Out
September 17, 2021: USC Upstate 1, South Carolina 0
September 18, 2021: UAB 5, Gardner-Webb 1
 
Ones to Watch
Upstate: Entering the opening weekend of Big South Conference play, junior goalkeeper Luca Bulfon enters as the conference's leader in saves (27), saves per game (4.50), and shutouts (two). His 4.50 saves per match rank 26^th in the NCAA while his 27 total saves rank 29^th in the country. Last time out, Bulfon collected six saves in preserving a clean sheet against South Carolina, earning his second shutout of the season in the 1-0 victory.
 
Gardner-Webb: Runnin' Bulldog keeper Mallel Rios enters Saturday's match ranked third in the Big South in total saves, collecting 21 across seven matches while ranking second in the league in goalie minutes, spending 591:38 between the pipes. Against Liberty last week, he tallied a season-high seven saves before following that up with a save against UAB last Saturday.
 
Next UP for the Spartans
Upstate continues its Big South Conference-opening homestand, hosting Longwood at County University Soccer Stadium on October 2.
 
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