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

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

Before USC Upstate: Was an exchange student at Irmo High School from 2003-04... An all-region selection... Helped lead Irmo to the No. 1 seed in the lower state...Led the team to the 2004 4A state championship... finished his high school career in 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... A business management major... Favorite season is summer... Favorite singer is Xavier Naidoo... Favorite movie is “Ballerman 6”... Favorite food is schnitzel... Most admites his parents... Favorite quote is “Don’t dream your life, live your dreams”... Likes soccer, talking to family and friends in Germany and cooking.