Aug. 23, 2010

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By Miquel Jacobs
Media Relations Assistant

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior goalkeeper Mollie Patton has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday afternoon. In addition, senior defender Brittiny Rhoades was chosen as one of 11 players selected to the Top Drawer Soccer national team of the week.

Patton, a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award candidate, had a strong weekend for the Gamecocks by posting two shutouts and collecting 13 total saves in South Carolina’s season opening trip to Boston. Patton collected five saves and grabbed the shutout against 2009 NCAA Tournament team Boston University, becoming the first goalkeeper to shutout the Terriers at their home field since their 2008 season opener, a span of 20 straight games. Patton then tied a career high with eight saves and posted a shutout against Northeastern, becoming the first goalkeeper to shutout the Huskies at their home field in 17 games. With the shutouts, Patton moves to 24 for her career and is now just nine shy of tying the all-time SEC record. The honor is her second career SEC Defensive Player of the Week honor.

Rhoades led the Gamecock backline in front of Patton that continued South Carolina’s defensive tradition. Serving as team captain and leader of a defensive unit that played two new starters for the first time in three years, Rhoades helped limit Boston and Northeastern to a combined 13 shots on goal. The national honor is the first for Rhoades since she was named a 2007 Freshman All-American.

No. 12 South Carolina heads home this weekend when the team hosts the Gamecock Courtyard Cup at Stone Stadium. Louisville will be the home opening opponent Friday at 7:30 p.m. to start a six-game home stand for Carolina.