University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Gardner-Webb
11/7/2026 9:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's soccer team continues its postseason run on Sunday, November 8, as the Spartans travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb in the semifinals of the Big South Conference Men's Soccer Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Spartans enter Sunday's match up following a 1-0 victory over UNC Asheville in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, November 4. David Palade scored the lone goal of the contest, helping Upstate advance to the semifinal round.
Upstate enters the match up with a 6-12-0 overall record after finishing Big South regular-season play at 3-4-0. Gardner-Webb enters with a 9-4-2 overall record and a 5-1-1 conference mark.
Match Information
Match Up: USC Upstate at Gardner-Webb
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boiling Springs, N.C.
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/5n6wnttwÂ
Watch: ESPN+ https://tinyurl.com/szdj587mÂ
Tournament: Big South Conference Men's Soccer Championship – Semifinals
Last Time Out
USC Upstate secured a 1-0 victory over UNC Asheville in the quarterfinals of the Big South Championship on Wednesday afternoon in Asheville, N.C.
David Palade provided the difference for the Spartans, scoring the match's only goal to send Upstate into the semifinal round.
The victory marked Upstate's second win over UNC Asheville this season after previously defeating the Bulldogs 2-1 on October 24 during regular-season conference play.
Players to Watch
Christian Cook leads the Spartans offensively with five goals and 11 points this season. Cook has recorded 16 shots, including seven on goal, while contributing one assist.
David Palade has also been a key contributor for Upstate, recording four goals, three assists and 11 points. Palade leads the Spartans with three game-winning goals, including the decisive score against UNC Asheville in the quarterfinals.
Oscar Kelly has provided a strong presence in the midfield, recording three goals and a team-leading five assists for 11 points. Kelly also leads the team with 33 shots, including 12 on goal.
Josh Zawlocki has contributed four goals and one assist for nine points, while Tolu Fabamifobee has added two goals and five assists.
Defensively, goalkeeper Jarrett Wuerslin has started all 18 matches for the Spartans, recording 74 saves and three shutouts this season.
Scouting Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb enters Sunday's semifinal matchup with a 9-4-2 overall record after finishing conference play at 5-1-1.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have been one of the Big South's most productive offensive teams this season, recording 37 goals through 15 matches for an average of 2.47 goals per contest. Gardner-Webb has totaled 226 shots, including 102 on goal, while adding 32 assists.
Tim Kreuzpeintner leads Gardner-Webb with eight goals, four assists and 20 points. Kreuzpeintner has recorded 40 shots, including 22 on goal, and three game-winning goals.
Nicolas Triguero follows with seven goals and five assists for 19 points. Triguero has recorded 26 shots, including 16 on goal, and has converted all three of his penalty-kick attempts.
In goal, Oliver Weng has started all 15 matches for Gardner-Webb, recording 49 saves, four shutouts and a .700 save percentage.
Last Meeting
Sunday's matchup marks the second meeting between USC Upstate and Gardner-Webb this season.
The two teams previously met on October 17 in Boiling Springs, N.C., when Gardner-Webb earned a 5-4 victory in a high-scoring Big South contest.
Jayden Montgomery opened Upstate's scoring, while Oscar Kelly recorded two goals and David Palade added another.
Gardner-Webb was led by Nicolas Triguero, who recorded a hat trick, while Tim Kreuzpeintner added two goals to secure the victory for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
The Spartans will look to reverse the result in Sunday's rematch, with a spot in the Big South Championship final on the line.
Up Next
With a victory on Sunday, USC Upstate would advance to the Big South Conference Men's Soccer Championship final, where the Spartans would compete for the conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
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