SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The USC Upstate Men's Soccer team is set to take on their second Virginia team of the week as they host the Longwood Lancers Saturday afternoon.
Saturday's MatchUP
October 14, 2023 | 2:30 p.m.
County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
USC Upstate (3-7-2, 0-3-1 Big South) vs Longwood (4-3-3, 0-2-1 Big South)
How They Stack UP
USC Upstate (3-7-2, 0-3-1 Big South) vs Longwood (4-3-3, 0-2-1 Big South) with three common opponents between the two teams. Both have played Winthrop and High Point in Big South play and made a trip to Lynchburg to take on Liberty. Both teams have the same 0-2-1 record against those opponents:
(UPST 3 | HPU 4) | (LW 0 | HPU 4)
(UPST 1 | LU 4) | (LW 1 | LU 3)
(UPST 1 | WIN 1) | (LW 1 | WIN 1)
Series
The Spartans and Lancers have only ever met as conference foes, with the Spartans holding an unbeaten 3-0-2 record through the first five matchups.
Last Five Matches
10/15/2022 (UPST 2 | LW 0)
10/2/2021 (UPST 1 | LW 1)
3/14/2021 (UPST 1 | LW 0)
10/12/2019 (UPST 1 | LW 0)
10/16/2018 (UPST 2 | LW 2)
Players to Watch:
The Spartans are still led offensively by Jeremy Montero and Braiden Hall, who have combined for 67 of the Spartans 139 shots and 29 of the team's 61 shots on goal. Freshman Adrian Panaite is the only other Spartan to record double-digit shots on the season, but fellow freshman Dario Stadler has seen his workload increase recently, recording 50+ minutes in the last three matches. Junior defender Anthony Cox has seen his minutes increase lately as well, as he's gone the full 90 in two of his last three appearances.
The Lancers have a relatively balanced attack, as nine players have recorded a goal this season and none have more than two so far. Sophomore Simao Coelho has consistently put pressure on opposing keepers, recording 42 shots on the season with 19 on goal. He most recently had a 7/4 split and picked up an assist at Winthrop.
Last Match Out
Despite filling the stat sheet in every aspect except the score, the Spartans fell on the road to a scrappy and physical Radford Highlander team by a score of 2-0. As a team, the Spartans took 15 shots (their 2nd most on the season) and placed seven of them on goal but will look to find the back of the net against the Lancers.
Longwood hosted a Winthrop team that's found its footing in conference play after a rocky start to the season. The two battled to a 90-minute draw and earned a point in the Big South standings each.
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.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateMSoccer
Instagram | @Upstatemenssoccer
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans
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