Thursday's MatchUP
August 18, 2022 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0-0) vs. Davidson (0-0-0)
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
Watch: Davidson vs. South Carolina Upstate (W Soccer) | Watch ESPN
Live Stats: TeamA 0 TeamB 0 0:00 1st Half (upstatespartans.com)
Series History
Upstate and Davidson have met twice, with their match series dating back to 2018 when the Spartans fell 2-3 to the Wildcats. USC Upstate sits 0-1-1 against Davidson overall.
The Spartans played the Wildcats in September of the 2021 season with the result being a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes of play at County University Soccer Stadium. Captain Cora Brendle recorded a season-high 14 saves while Captain Ashley Finn claimed four of Upstate's 13 shots in the game.
Preseason Overview
Head coach Sharif Saber retained 12 Spartans from the 2021 season including Brendle and Finn as well as Alaina McKnight who was one of Upstate's primary center backs. Saber also retained Natasha Ferreira in the back line and Campbell Gibson who was third on the team for shots last season. For the 2022 season, Saber recruited an astounding 17 players, 13 of which are true freshmen. The four transfers Saber was able to secure come from the University of Mount Olive, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Georgia Southern University. Upstate had a quick preseason with only two weeks of training and facing two preseason opponents, Elon and the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Coach's Comments
Saber enters his first season with the Spartans and reflected on the preseason saying, "What we got most out of the exhibition matches was growth in every way. I am extremely proud of the way our players have been evolving, leading, and thriving the last few weeks with the challenges we've presented them. This group is united and that is an amazing start for any new staff".
Coach Saber continued to express his excitement for the home opener saying, "I think this first game will be just that...the first game. There will be core values such as us being a positive family, being relentless competitive, etc. that we as a staff hope comes out in abundance Thursday. Everything else is game by game, but who we are, and what we value, never changes".
For the Fans
As we welcome students back to campus, the new Spartan Army student section debuts Thursday night! Free Tropical Shaved Ice will be given to the first 100 students and an exclusive Upstate Soccer scarf giveaway will be given to the first 50 students following the conclusion of the match! Admission is free all season long, presented by Ingles, the official supermarket of the Spartans!
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate will continue its home stint with Appalachian State, Sun. August 21 followed by Hampton, Tues. August 23 and ETSU, Sun. August 28. Following the home series, Upstate will hit the road to play The Citadel in Charleston on Friday, Sept. 2.
JOIN UP
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!
GET INVOLVED
Want to be a ball kid for USC Upstate Soccer? Kids ages 10 and up can help the Spartans all season long by retrieving game balls on the sidelines during home men's and women's soccer matches at County-University Soccer Stadium. Click here for more details.
Keep UP with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateWSoccer
Instagram | @UpstateWSoccer
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans
