University of South Carolina Upstate

2009: Appeared in five games for the Spartans... Madethree starts, against Wofford (9/11), at High Point (9/19) andagainst Georgia Southern (9/23)... A member of the A-SunAll-Academic team.

2008: Saw limited action after suffering a seriesof season-ending injuries in the Furman game on Sept. 21... Hadmade it on the pitch for the first time on the year against Woffordon Sept. 19... Took a kick to the face against Furman and sufferedbroken bones in his face which required reconstructive surgery...Also suffered a serious concussion in the accident... finished theyear playing in just two games, starting once.

Before USC Upstate: Was an exchange student atIrmo High School from 2003-04... An all-region selection... Helpedlead Irmo to the No. 1 seed in the lower state...Led the team tothe 2004 4A state championship... finished his high school careerin his native Germany at Berufskolleg Geldern.

Personal: Born on Nov. 8, 1985 in Geldern,Germany... Son of Josef and Anke Soppa... Has an older brother... Abusiness management major... Favorite season is summer... Favoritesinger is Xavier Naidoo... Favorite movie is “Ballerman6”... Favorite food is schnitzel... Most admites hisparents... Favorite quote is “Don’t dream your life,live your dreams”... Likes soccer, talking to family andfriends in Germany and cooking.