Dec. 8, 2005
Three South Carolina soccer players were selected to the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region first team, the organization announced Thursday. Senior defender Greg Reece (Clemmons, N.C.) and junior midfielder Mike Sambursky (Katy, Texas) garnered first-team honors while senior forward Josh Alcala (Buda, Texas) was named to the third team. The trio led South Carolina to the 2005 Conference USA Tournament Championship, a 12-7-2 record and the school’s 18th trip to the NCAA Tournament this season.
The 2005 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Reece was a three-year starter and two-year team captain for South Carolina. During his senior season, Reece was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26) and selected to the Soccer America (Sept. 29) and Top Drawer Soccer (Sept. 26) National Teams of the Week. He also earned all-tournament honors at the North Carolina Nike Soccer Classic and the adidas-South Carolina Gamecock Classic. Reece was also a member of the all-Conference USA first team.
Sambursky led the Gamecocks in scoring with 24 points on a team-high eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists this season. He was a first-team all-Conference USA selection, and earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 7) honors as well. Sambursky is a two-year starter for the Carolina. He has scored 40 career points (13 goals, 14 assists) heading into his senior season.
Alcala led Conference USA in scoring during league play with 18 points on six goals and six assists. A first-team all-Conference USA pick, Alcala finished his senior season with 23 points on seven goals and a team-best nine assists. He also earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors (Oct. 31) and Soccer America National Team of the Week honors (Nov. 2). Alcala wrapped his Gamecock career with 37 points on 12 goals and 13 assists.
During the soccer program’s 28 seasons, 57 Gamecock players have been selected to the All-South Region team under head coach Mark Berson. In every season since 1983, at least one Gamecock player has appeared on the team. A total of 29 schools comprise the South Region, which is arguably the toughest region in the country. There are 38 student-athletes representing 19 schools on this year’s team. USC’s pair of first-team selections is tied for most of any school. All three players are eligible for All-America consideration.
2005 NSCAA All-South Region Team
First TeamPosition Name Class School1st Team GK Phil Marfuggi Jr ClemsonB John Latting** Sr DavidsonB Greg Reece Sr South CarolinaB Nathan Sturgis So ClemsonM Blake Camp* Sr DukeM Scott Jones* Jr UNC-GM Dax McCarty So North CarolinaM Mike Sambursky Jr South CarolinaF Willy Guadarama So CampbellF Aaron King** Sr NC StateF Justin Moose*** Sr Wake ForestF Randi Patterson* Jr UNC-G
2nd TeamGK Anders Grandstad* Sr FAUB Michael Harrington Jr North CarolinaB Patrick Phelan So Wake ForestB J.P. Rodrigues* Jr BelmontB Andre Sherard So North CarolinaM Dominic Cianciarulo So FurmanM Rodrigo Hildago So South FloridaM Sonny Guadarama Fr CampbellM Ryan Solle Jr Wake ForestF Jeremy Gold Jr CharlestonF Adam Ruud* Sr UNC-CF Carron Williams* Sr FIUF Kiki Willis Fr Elon
3rd TeamGK Taylor Saxe Jr ElonB Jon Leathers So FurmanB Mohammed Said Sr Alabama A&MB Devon Sheppard Jr CampbellB Keion Yearwood Sr CharlestonM Scott Campbell Fr North CarolinaM Jason McLaughlin Sr UABM Lucas Scudeler* Sr FIUM Michael Videira* So DukeF Josh Alcala Sr South CarolinaF Tommy Krisanovic* Jr JacksonvilleF Del Olayoe Sr MercerF Jordan Seabrook Fr South Florida* - Previous Selections
