Nov. 15, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –
Members of the South Carolina men’s soccer team participated in the Conference USA Championship community service project at the Epic Elementary School in Birmingham on Thursday. Athletes from those schools that earned a berth into Friday’s semifinal round joined forces to read books and interact with students at the school.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit the school today,” Roca said. “The students were very interested in soccer and seemed to enjoy the hour we were able to spend with them.”

A total of 11 student-athletes participated in the event, including players from South Carolina, Marshall and Florida International. Tulsa, the winner of the final quarterfinal match, did not attend due to the fact that the postponed quarterfinal game was played today at 2 p.m.

“I was very excited to read to the students at the Epic School today,” Lowder added. “I think it is a very good addition to the tournament to participate in the community service project.”

Fourth-seeded South Carolina will face top-seeded Tulsa on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET in the semifinal round of the C-USA Championship. The Gamecocks defeated Memphis, 2-1, in overtime on Wednesday in their first-round match.