Aug. 4, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s soccer incoming freshmen Christine Watts and Rae Wilson were selected to the ESPNRise.com Spring Girls’ High School All-America team, the publication announced Monday. Both players were named to the honorable mention list for the teams that were compiled based on input from high school coaches and media all-star teams around the country.

Watts (Duluth, Ga. – MID) was a four-time All-Region selection at Peachtree Ridge High School. A two-time Georgia “Super Six” selection, Watts was the leading goal scorer for Peachtree Ridge and a seven-year member of the Georgia ODP team.

Wilson (Greenville, S.C. – FORWARD) was also named a 208 NSCAA Scholar All-American in addition to being a two-time NSCAA/adidas All-Region team selection. She was a two-time All-State selection while playing for JL Mann High School.

South Carolina opens its season Friday, August. 21 with an exhibition match against the Mexican National Team at the MESA Soccer Complex in Greenville, S.C. The Gamecocks begin the regular season at home against College of Charleston on Thursday, Aug. 27th, the first game between the in-state rivals since the 2002 season. The Gamecocks lost only one senior from a roster of 28 and return 10 starters from the 2008 squad that went 11-7-4 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year, a program first.