SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the Big South Men's Soccer Championships for the first time since 2022, Upstate Men's Soccer travels to Asheville, North Carolina, renewing the Ingles I-26 Rivalry for Wednesday night action for the second time this season live on ESPN+. The Spartans clinched their way to postseason play as the fifth seed in the Big South Men's Soccer Championships where they were matched up with UNC Asheville as the fourth seed. For the Spartans, this serves as a new season with the motto to "survive and advance" with each match now having their season on the line with no guarantees of playing another. Head Coach, Michael Antoniewicz addressed his team mentioning how big Wednesday will be for the program and how he believes in his squad to compete.  

Wednesday's Matchup 

Wednesday, November 5| 6:00 P.M. EST 

USC Upstate at UNC Asheville 

Greenwood Soccer Field| Asheville, North Carolina 

TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App      

How they Stack up   

#5 USC Upstate Spartans (4-10-3; 2-3-2 Big South) vs. #4 UNC Asheville Bulldogs (7-6-2; 3-3-1 Big South) 

All-time series: Upstate leads 9-5-1 

Last time out for Upstate: Saturday, November 1 vs. Radford (UPST 0; RAD 0) 

Last time out for UNC Asheville: Saturday, November 1 vs. Gardner-Webb (GWU 2; AVL 1) 

Last Meeting between both teams: September 20, 2025 (UPST 4; AVL 0) 

Players to watch 

Upstate: Sophomore Forward, Oskar Kaufmann was the engine that got the Spartans' offense going in the conference opener against the Bulldogs with a brace performance scoring at the 48th and 53rd minute. Kaufmann has made his presence known since putting on an Upstate jersey leading the Spartans with seven goals which is the most scored by a single player in a season since Mario Arrocha during the 2021 season. Head Coach Michael Antoniewicz continues to instill confidence in Kaufmann and letting him be himself which has displayed in the best way for Upstate Men's Soccer. The Spartans will look to add to their offensive firepower in a rematch on the road against the Bulldogs. 

UNC Asheville: Senior Forward, Rodrigo Mendes appeared and started in 15 matches, leading the Bulldogs with four goals and five assists totaling 13 points. Mendes' speed and IQ have been a key factor in pushing UNC Asheville to multiple victories on the season and in conference play. Mendes looks to put the Spartans' defense in a bind with his impact on the pitch with not only his will to score but finding his teammates as well.  

Up next for the Spartans 

The winner of the #4 vs. #5 matchup will move to the Semifinals round taking on the No. 1 seeded, High Point University on Sunday, November 9th in High Point, North Carolina at 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time. 

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