SPARTANBURG, S.C. – It all counts from here on out.
 
Exhibition play for men's soccer is wrapped up for the 2022 fall season and we're rushing into the regular season now.
 
Series History
The Spartans and Chanticleers have only met a handful of times on the pitch in the Division I era (2007 – Pres). Coastal Carolina leads the series 2-1-0 and won the most recent meeting in 2021 by a score of 4-0. The Spartans sole win in the young series came in 2019 in a 1-0 match thanks to a goal in the 55^th minute from Mario Arrocha.
 
Preseason Overview
A tough and fast exhibition slate consisting of North Carolina, Converse, and Charlotte has the USC Upstate Spartans with a little bit more experience heading into Thursday night against Coastal Carolina. That's an especially good thing, as Head Coach Scott Halkett brought in 14 newcomers to the program this year, including two transfers. There are also some fresh faces on the sideline as assistant coach Isaac Lindahl and volunteer assistant coach Colin Francis are entering their first years with the Spartans as well.
 
Coach's Comments
Coach Halkett understands that it will take time for the young Spartans to really gel together. "I just want to see growth" he said after the exhibition with Charlotte. "We started 6 freshmen tonight, 12 freshmen got playing time tonight, a lot of playing time."
 
Luckily for the newcomers, there is a veteran presence like Filippo Censini on the team to provide player leadership. "I didn't think I was ready to be a leader so I let everybody, the older guys, step up and do that thing and try to follow that thing." He said, "Try to learn how to behave and how to be a leader to be honest. This year is my last year, so it's my turn to do that. I'm very happy to do it"
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Upstate will be on the road for the rest of the month, with stops at Coastal Carolina this week and then a stop at the defending national champs, Clemson next Monday. They'll start September with a road trip to Columbia to take on South Carolina before returning for their home opener with ETSU on September 10.
 
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 | @UpstateMSoccer @UpstateSpartans 
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