SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Spartans will face a familiar foe for the first time this decade when they host the North Florida Ospreys tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday's MatchUP
August 24, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. The University of North Florida (0-0-0, 0-0-0 A-Sun)
Spartanburg Regional Field at County University Soccer Stadium | Spartanburg, S.C.
How They Stack UP
Record
USC Upstate (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Big South) vs. The University of North Florida (0-0-0, 0-0-0 A-Sun)
Series: Upstate trails 3-9 with their last win coming in Jacksonville in 2013
Last Five Matches
8/30/2019 (UNF 1 | UPST 0)
10/28/2017 (UNF 2 | UPST 1)
10/29/2016 (UNF 4 | UPST 0)
11/14/2015 (UNF 7 | UPST 0)
10/31/2015 (UNF 2 | UPST 0)
Players to Watch
Jeremy Montero, Julian Fernandez, and Felipe Marty are the Spartans to keep an eye on as all three were named to the Big South's preseason All-Conference team. Montero and Marty both finished second in offensive and defensive player of the year voting respectively. In addition, freshman newcomers Luke Marin and Ezra Hoffman both had strong preseason performances. Sophomore Elijah Jackson looks to carve a role out for himself early in the season.
As for the Ospreys, they return the majority of last year's offensive production in junior forward Joaquin Acuna. They also return starting keeper Micah Gun who notched three wins and four shutouts on the year. The 2023 Ospreys will also benefit from the addition of several transfers with North Carolina transfer Luc Granitur leading that group. Felix Frenz is no stranger to Spartanburg or even County University Soccer Stadium as the center back transferred to UNF after playing for Converse last season.
Last Match Out
The USC Upstate Spartans hosted a pair of preseason matches as they took on UNC Greensboro and Converse University. As for the last official match they participated in, the #3 Upstate Spartans went on the road to take on the #2 High Point Panthers in the first round of the Big South Tournament. Despite a strong showing in the second half, the Spartans would eventually fall 3-1 at the hands of the eventual conference champions.
Similarly, North Florida had a two-matches preseason slate as they hosted Daytona State College and were only a few minutes away from Spartanburg as they took on Furman. The Ospreys 2022 season came to an end in the A-Sun Quarterfinals in the form of a 4-0 loss to #4 FGCU.
UP Next for the Spartans
It will be a quick turnaround as the Spartans hit the road Monday night for a road match with the NC State Wolfpack. Upstate men's soccer won't return to Spartanburg until September 12 when they host Georgia State.
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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