CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As the regular season concludes and the focus has been turned to the Big South Men's Soccer Championships, the conference office announced postseason honors where the Spartans were highlighted in multiple categories including All-Conference, All-Freshman, and All-Academic.
First Team All-Conference: Oskar Kaufmann
The Sophomore Forward from Stockholm, Sweden came into the program with high hopes transferring from NCAA Division II, Coker University previously where Head Coach Michael Antoniewicz along with assistant coaches Matthew Dunn and Tony Vu coached at. Being named SAC Freshman of the Year at Coker and adding a new start with Spartan Army, Kaufmann was determined to make an immediate impact at the Division I level. Kaufmann led the Spartans with seven goals which was the most scored in a season since Mario Arrocha during the 2021 season. Kaufmann began to find his rhythm at the perfect time scoring his first goal of the season against the University of South Carolina which was the same night the new era Spartans added their first win of the season. He followed with turning it up a notch in the conference opener against UNC Asheville with a brace performance against the Bulldogs. During the week of Oct. 18 through Oct. 25, Kaufmann had a three-game streak of scoring a goal through each match. As he continues to build his collegiate resume, Kaufmann adds a First Team All-Conference honor for the Spartans.
Second Team All-Conference: Vitalis Takawira Jr.
The Senior Forward from Harare, Zimbabwe was another transfer from Coker University who was thought highly of from the beginning to make an immediate impact. Takawira Jr. wasted little time showing what he was capable of with connecting with his teammates on assists opening the first six matches with two assists. In the home crosstown rivalry match against Wofford, Vitalis Takawira Jr. Showed Spartan Army why he was a threat scoring two goals within 18 seconds resulting in helping Upstate take the victory over the rival followed by being named the Big South Co-Offensive Player of the Week along with being named to the Top Drawer Men's Team of the Week. Vitalis Takawira Jr. Continued to push through the season with much versatility with finding his teammates including having two matches with two assists. Following the match at Longwood, Vitalis Takawira Jr. Surpassed the single season record for assists (previously at six). With a stacked resume, Takawira Jr. Adds another All-Conference selection under his belt.
Second Team All-Conference, All-Academic Team: Jorhan Chopin
The Senior Midfielder from Rennes, France is another example of trusting the process transferring from Coker University and displaying his veteran presence with a lineup mixed with experience and youth. Chopin appeared and started in 17 matches logging 1397 minutes. Chopin added 10 shots and three assists on the year including a two-assist day against Winthrop on September 27, 2025. The Senior Captain's impact continued to keep his guys on the same page providing much impact and experience that was recognized by opposing teams helping him add an all-conference honor to his resume. While also being an all-conference player, Chopin provided the example of a student-athlete who was a student first maintaining a 3.8 GPA resulting in being named to the All-Academic Team.
Second Team All-Conference, All-Freshman Team: Oscar Kelly
The Freshman from Manchester, England was described as a "coach's dream" due to his hard work and confidence. Kelly opened his collegiate debut against Georgia State scoring the first goal of the new era for the Spartans. Kelly appeared in 16 matches and started in 15, proving to be a dependable player each time he took the pitch. In a match on the road in front of 5,000+ fans at South Carolina, Oscar Kelly converted a penalty kick with the game tied at one for the game-winning goal. Kelly followed this performance scoring against UAB, adding three total goals on the year while also proving to be a guy that finds his teammates for the best opportunity. Already scoring three goals, Kelly added three assists on the year while logging 1194 minutes and being second on the team with 28 shots. Oscar Kelly now proves that the statement made by Michael Antoniewicz was a vision everyone knew by adding an all-conference honor and being named to the All-Freshman Team.
Second Team All-Conference: Ewan Tomas
The Sophomore from St. Pierre de chandieu, France waited his time to prove why he could be a great addition to the backline defensively. Finally, being eligible to play after missing the first four matches, Tomas entered the lineup with a new energy for the Spartans that was highly anticipated. Ewan Tomas was a true definitive of being the last man of defense to try score past but with his IQ mixed with his speed, he caused a lot of havoc. Appearing and starting in 13 matches, Tomas was a player that may not have shown his impact in the box score, but the eye test making teams try to attack away from him proved how impactful he was. With the confidence he brings to the team, Tomas earns the nod for All-Conference honors in the first season with Upstate Men's Soccer.
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