SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The USC Upstate Spartans look to preserve their first 1-0-0 record since the 2016 season as they hit the road to take on the NC State Wolfpack Monday, August 28.
Monday's MatchUP
August 28, 2023 | 7:00 p.m.
USC Upstate (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Big South) at NC State ( 1-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
How They Stack UP
Record
USC Upstate 1-0-0 vs NC State 1–0-0
Series: Upstate trails the series 0-2-1, with their only goal in the series coming in a 3-1 loss in 2018. The match has only ever been played at NC State.
Last Three Matches
8/26/2021 (NC State 2 | UPST 0)
8/24/2018 (NC State 3 | UPST 1)
10/10/2017 (UPST 0 | NC State 0)
Players to Watch
Adrian Panaite provided an immediate impact for the Spartans as the freshman from Toronto got between a North Florida pass and it's intended target to notch the first and only goal of the Spartan's 1-0 season opening victory. Freshmen Luke Marin and Dzenan Cerimagic created offensive opportunities as they tallied two shots a piece while Jeremy Montero led the match with three shots of his own. Cooper Jennings posted a clean sheet in his first career start and will look to do so again with the help of Elijah Jackson, Anthony Cox and Jakob Benz.
NC State's Luke Hillie is the team's top returning offensive weapon, as the junior from Cary, N.C. rattled off 34 shots last season and collected eight total points on three goals and two assists. Goals from Hillie, Duke transfer Scotty Taylor, and Junior Nare gave the Wolfpack the 3-1 edge over Radford in their season opener. Lucas Hastios will serve as the final line of defense for the Wolfpack against the Spartans as the junior goalkeeper looks to build on his 51 save, 1.31 GAA performance last season.
Last Match Out
The Spartans earned a 1-0 victory over the North Florida Ospreys in their home and regular season opener. The victory over the former A-Sun rival marked the first win over the Ospreys since the 2013 season and the first season opening win for the Spartans since the 2016 season. Adrian Panaite scored the sole goal of the match while Cooper Jennings denied three would-be goals for the Ospreys.
USC Upstate won't be the first Big South opponent for the Wolfpack as NC State opened their season hosting the Radford Highlanders, Friday night. They claimed a 3-1 victory over the Highlanders and outshot the visiting team 19-2.
UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans are on their first road stretch of the season and will follow up Monday's match at NC State with a trip to Conway, S.C. to take on Coastal Carolina. The Spartans will look to get their first win in that series since 2019.
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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