Aug. 1, 2006

Four University of South Carolina soccer players have been named to the College Soccer News 100 Freshmen to Watch list. Andrew Evans (Cayce, S.C.), Jamal Geathers (Aiken, S.C.), Sam Roca (Wayne, N.J.) and Mark Wiltse (Belle Meade, N.J.) were selected by the publication, putting South Carolina tied for the most representatives on the list, along with UCLA and Wake Forest.

Evans, who won the South Carolina Gatorade State High School Player of the Year in 2006, attended Brookland-Cayce High School. Evans, who plays forward and in the midfield, was also a NSCAA All-Region and All-America selection during his prep career.

Geathers, a forward, helped South Aiken High School to the 2005 State Championship and earned All-America honors from StudentSportsSoccer.com during his prep career. He was named an All-Star at the adidas Elite Soccer Program as well.

Roca, a defender, was named the State Player of the Year by the New Jersey High School Coaches Association in 2005. The Wayne Valley High School graduate is also a four-year member of New Jersey’s State Olympic Development team.

Wiltse, a defender, is a four-time All-America selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). After spending 2003-04 in residency with the United States Youth National Team program, he graduated from Montgomery High School in 2006. He was also two-time All-Star at the adidas Elite Soccer Program.

Last week, College Soccer News ranked the Gamecocks’ incoming recruiting class No. 19 nationally.

The Gamecock soccer team reports to campus on August 8. Carolina opens the 2006 season on Friday, Aug. 25, at home against Clemson.