South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer

South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer is rather unique, especially in the SEC, because it has both a men's and women's team. Both have enjoyed winning seasons for several years, but still cannot seem to make it big in the NCAA arena. The women have made fourteen appearances in NCAA tournaments and one showing at the SEC Tournament in 2002. Since beginning play in 1978, the men’s team has made seventeen appearances in NCAA tournaments and one appearance at the Conference USA Tournament in 2005.

The University of South Carolina Lady Gamecocks had an impressive season last year with an 11-6-5 record and the second most wins in the SEC. They also made it to the semi-finals in the SEC Tournament and ranked sixth in the Southeast Region according to NSCAA rankings.

The ladies were undefeated at home, a feat that, before last year, had never been accomplished in school history. Several USC Lady Gamecocks earned special recognition, with three players earning All-SEC honors as well as All-Region selections.

With nine returning starters and the fourth best recruiting class in the SEC, South Carolina soccer has a great shot at a winning season this year.

Sophomore All-American Blakely Mattern, who was selected to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2006, will no doubt be a key player this season. Senior Darcel Mollon will be returning to the team this year after sitting out in 2006 due to injuries. If Mollon can live up to her impressive 2005 stats, she may play a large role in South Carolina’s success.

Mattern and midfielder, Ashley Kirk were both selected to the All-SEC preseason team.

The Lady Gamecocks’ head coach Shelley Smith has job security for a while after signing a new contract that will keep her there another five years. Smith, who has been with the USC for seven seasons, gained recognition as a skilled coach after leading last year’s team to a semi-final appearance in the SEC Tournament and having an overall winning season.

South Carolina soccer is strong and will do well. But, the SEC East is tough. We predict South Carolina's Women's team will finish 5th in the SEC East and just miss SEC and NCAA tournament bids.

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2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer Schedule (Women's):

September 1 North Carolina Away

September 3 East Tennessee Home

September 7 UC Davis Away

September 9 UNLV Away

September 12 Winthrop Home

September 14 Charlotte Away

September 16 Furman Away

September 21 Clemson Away

September 23 Marshall Home

September 27 Tennessee Away

September 30 Georgia Away

October 5 Kentucky Home

October 7 Vanderbilt Home

October 12 MS State Away

October 14 Mississippi Away

October 19 Alabama Home

October 21 Auburn Home

October 25 LSU Away

October 28 Arkansas Home

November 2 Florida Away

November 7 SEC Tournament TBA

November 9 SEC Tournament TBA

November 11 SEC Tournament TBA

2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer Roster (Women's):

Lindsay Thorstenson GK

Honour Trosper GK

Laura Armstrong GK

Kimmy Gillespie D

Kim Miller MF

Alison Bagley MF

Blakely Mattern D

Danila Monteirro F/MF

Ashley Kirk MF

Darcel Mollon F

Courtney Cobbs F/MF

Shannon Bigbie MF/D

Erin Sullivan MF

Jessica Thomas D

Annie Galloway MF

Lindsay Small D

Maggie Blackwell D

Brittiny Rhoades D/MF

Kacie Brewer MF/D

Monica Hogan D/MF

Samantha Diaz-Matosas F

Aly Shattis MF

Brooke Jacobs F

Mollie Patton GK

South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer – the Men's version – had a nice record last year with an 11-5-1. They made it to the first round of the Conference USA Tournament only to be defeated by UAB. But, they were ranked 25th nationally by Soccer Times. They play in Conference USA because, of course, the Southeastern Conference does not have a men's soccer league.

With only four returning starters, the men of USC are going to have to work hard to pull off another winning season. The men are hoping to make up for their losses with the addition of eleven incoming freshmen who consist of region team players, All-Americans, and Elite Soccer Program participants.

The men’s team has also received recognition with new recruit Jimmy Maurer being featured in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated. Maurer was featured in a section called “Faces in the Crowd,” which showcased some of the best up and coming talent in college sports.
Sam Arthur, who is a member of the Under-18 U.S. National team, is expected to be a big asset at forward. Another new addition will be Tyler Ruthven, a transfer student from the University of San Francisco, who will play defender. Their team is young and will face major transitions, but the men of the University of South Carolina should have a successful season; although, it is unlikely they will be able to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer Schedule (Men's):

August 31 Clemson Away

September 4 Presbyterian Home

September 7 Connecticut Away

September 8 USF Home

September 11 Wofford Home

September 14 Longwood Home

September 16 Lipscomb Home

September 19 Duke Away

September 23 Alabama A &M Home

September 29 UAB Away

October 3 Davidson Away

October 7 Florida International Away

October 13 Tulsa Home

October 20 Memphis Away

October 24 SMU Home Home

October 27 Marshall Home

November 4 UCF Away

November 9 Kentucky Home

2007 South Carolina Gamecocks Soccer Roster (Men's):

Ryan Jenkins GK

Spencer Lewis MF

Ramon Paracat MF/D

Daniel Upchurch D

Cory Lewis MF

Jeff Gross MF

Jeff Scannella D/MF

Matt King MF/D

Mark Wiltse MF/D

Geoff del Forn GK

J.D. Moon MF

David Smith MF

Kevan Hawkins MF/F

Brennan Williams D/MF

Schuyler Reardon F

Mario Burstein MF/D

Matt Mierley GK

Sam Roca D

Paddy Flynn MF

Matt Winstead

Trey Foster MF

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