Sept. 29, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior defender Blakely Mattern picked up her fourth national honor this season after being named a CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday.

It is Mattern’s first time being honored by the organization and the second time in as many weeks that a Gamecock earned the honor. Mattern previously has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season in addition to earning Soccer America (weeks two and four) and TopDrawerSoccer (week four) National Team of the Week honors.

In the midst of a banner season for the undefeated Gamecocks, Mattern was instrumental in leading the South Carolina defense to two wins to open SEC play. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award candidate spearheaded the defense by limiting Kentucky and Vanderbilt to a combined two (2) shots on goal in 180 minutes of play. Vanderbilt’s only shot on goal came in the 89th minute, and Kentucky was limited to two shots total – one of those on goal. Mattern played all 90 minutes of both matches.

No. 8 South Carolina (10-0-0, 2-0-0 SEC) returns to action this weekend when the team travels to the Magnolia State to take on Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The game against the Rebels (7-2-0, 1-0-0 SEC) kicks off at 8 p.m. EST Friday night.

For the complete listing of CollegeSoccer360.com Primetime Performers, click here.