Sept. 30, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the second time this week, South Carolina senior Greg Reece has been honored for his play in the Gamecocks’ two wins last week. Reece was one of 11 players from across the country selected to Soccer America magazine’s National Team of the Week. He was also named Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

A native of Clemmons, N.C., Reece helped South Carolina to a pair of wins last week at home over No. 25 UNC-Wilmington, 4-2, and at Charlotte, 2-1, in overtime. He marked the opposing team’s leading scorer in both matches, holding UNCW’s Sam Leger and Charlotte’s Adam Ruud (a 2004 All-Conference USA first-team selection) without a goal. The Gamecocks are currently on a three-match win streak.

Reece, one of two defenders on the team, is the first USC player to earn a national honor this season. In 2004, current Gamecocks Josh Alcala and J.D. Moon both earned Soccer America National Team of the Week honors.

A starter in all eight matches this season, Reece has been dominant in the air and has acted as a stabilizing force for the Gamecock defense this season. He was selected to the all-tournament teams at both the North Carolina Nike Soccer Classic and the adidas-South Carolina Gamecock classic earlier this season. Reece is a three-year starter and captain for Carolina. A chemistry major, he earned Academic All-South Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America in 2004.

USC opens its conference slate on Sunday, Oct. 2, at East Carolina. Match time is set for 1 p.m. in Greenville, N.C.

SOCCER AMERICA NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK (Sept. 19-25)

GOALKEEPERJason Tillman (Michigan State), Jr.
DEFENDERSBen Ashwill (New Mexico), Sr.Greg Reece (South Carolina), Sr.
MIDFIELDERS
Diego Barrera (Loyola Marymount), Soph.Kraig Chiles (San Diego State), Soph.Dustin Guerrero (San Diego), Soph.Ryan Solle (Wake Forest), Jr.
FORWARDSBrian Cvilikas (Old Dominion), Sr.Aaron King (N.C. State), Sr.Simon Omekanda (Penn State), Jr.Luc Valone (Binghamton), Sr.