Oct. 20, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the fourth consecutive week, the South Carolina women’s soccer team has earned a top 10 ranking from all three major publications for the fourth consecutive week as Coach Shelley Smith’s team comes in at No. 10 by the NSCAA and Soccer America in addition to a No. 9 ranking by Soccer Times.

The Gamecocks (14-1-1, 6-1-1 SEC) dropped their first match of the year last week at No. 22 Georgia but rebounded with the program’s first ever win at Tennessee. With 19 points in the SEC standings, South Carolina is tied with LSU for first in the conference with three games remaining.

South Carolina currently boasts the nation’s third-ranked defense with 11 shutouts and a 0.36 goals against average. Junior Mollie Patton is also ranked third in the NCAA individually with a 0.313 goals against average and 11 shutouts. South Carolina is also ranked No. 26 in total offense with 2.25 goals per game.

No. 10 South Carolina takes on Arkansas (8-4-4, 2-4-2 SEC) Thursday at 7 p.m. in the home finale before traveling to No. 17 LSU for a nationally televised Sunday afternoon match. That game will kickoff at 3 p.m. on ESPNU in a battle between the two schools tied for the SEC overall lead. Following the LSU match, Carolina will travel to Gainesville, Fla., for the regular season finale Oct. 30.