Dec. 20, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina junior defender Blakely Mattern was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-Region second team, the organization announced. The academic honor is the second for Mattern this postseason as she was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American First Team last month.

Mattern (Simpsonville, S.C./JL Mann HS) has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average through her first two complete years at South Carolina. She is a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and is currently pursuing a degree in business administration with a focus in international business.

Mattern played every minute of the season for South Carolina as team captain and center back, leading the team to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and picking up First Team All-SEC and NSCAA All-Region honors. A 2007 Soccer Buzz All-American, Mattern was the leader of a defense that finished the season second in the SEC in shutouts (8) and ranked in the top two in every major defensive category, including goals allowed, points allowed, shots allowed and shots on goal allowed. The Gamecocks led the league in shots allowed (8.45/game) and shots on goal allowed (3.68/game).

The season was also one of her strongest on the offensive end as Mattern registered eight points on four goals, the second-most on the team. A three-time All-SEC selection, Mattern has started every game of her career and finished her junior season with career numbers at nine goals, five assists and 23 points.