When Michael Antoniewicz arrived in Spartanburg this summer, he knew the challenge would be immense. A brand-new roster, a demanding Division I schedule, and a program hungry to reclaim its championship identity. But a few months in, the Scottish-born head coach has already made a statement.

In his first season leading the USC Upstate men’s soccer program, Antoniewicz has guided the Spartans to signature wins, including a 2-1 road victory over SEC foe South Carolina in Columbia and a 3-2 triumph over cross-town rival Wofford. With four weeks remaining in the regular season, Upstate has already surpassed last year’s overall win total and matched its conference win total, signaling that the foundation for long-term success is already taking shape.

“We’ve got a completely new team, about 90 percent of the roster had never played college soccer before,” Antoniewicz said. “But the belief, the energy, and the hunger are there. When we’re on it and we understand the demands of the game, we can compete with anyone in the country.”

Antoniewicz’s path to USC Upstate began thousands of miles away in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, before winding through the North Georgia mountains. After coming to the U.S. in 2012 to play at Truett McConnell University, he quickly discovered his passion for coaching.

“Within two weeks of helping out as a student-assistant, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he said. “It allowed me to stay close to the game and help others grow within it.”

Following three seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Antoniewicz took over as head coach at Coker University in 2019. During six years there, he transformed the Cobras into a nationally ranked power, capturing two South Atlantic Conference championships, reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2024, and earning United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors. His 2024 team went 15-3-1, setting program records and cementing his reputation as one of Division II’s rising young coaches.

When USC Upstate Athletic Director Matthew Martin began his search for the next leader of Spartan soccer, Antoniewicz’s proven track record stood out.

“Michael’s vision and plan for building our program back to championship form really resonated,” Martin said when announcing the hire. “He knows how to build a culture, develop student-athletes, and win.”

That culture-building process, even amid early success, remains at the core of Antoniewicz’s first-year vision.

“For year one, it’s all about setting the foundation,” he said. “We’re treating every match like a cup final, learning every day, and growing into what it takes to win championships. I didn’t take this job to do anything less than compete for titles.”

Antoniewicz’s approach blends intensity with care. He recruits players who embrace the vision and want to create history at Upstate, not simply join a team.

“I tell recruits, ‘This is an environment where we’re going to make history, but it starts with you buying in,’” he said. “We may not get the same players Clemson or South Carolina do, but we’re going to find the ones who believe in what we’re building. The rest will take care of itself.”

The early results suggest his message is resonating. The Spartans’ energy, competitiveness, and confidence have translated into a growing sense of belief, not just among players but across the program.

“I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been as a coach,” Antoniewicz said. “To take this program, with all its history, and bring it back to a national level, that’s what drives me every day. We’re laying the groundwork now so that USC Upstate is a name people recognize again in college soccer.”

And if the first few months are any indication, that recognition might not be far away.