April 8, 2005
COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina head men’s soccer coach Mark Berson has announced commitments from 10 high school standouts and the addition of three Division I transfers to the Gamecock program. Players from the prep ranks that are set to attend USC and play soccer in the fall of 2005 include: Kyle Franklin (Maryville, Tenn./High School), Mike Gustavson (Aiken, S.C./South Aiken High School),Kevan Hawkins (Denton, Texas/Ryan High School), Ryan Jenkins (Maryville, Tenn./Maryville High School), Spencer Lewis (Irmo, S.C./Irmo High School), Austin Moody (Columbia, S.C./Irmo High School), Matt Mierley (Weston, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Heverton Souza (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.), David Smith (Arlington, Texas/Summit High School) and Brennan Williams (Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman).
South Carolina has also welcomed three transfers to the program for the spring 2005 semester:
Rob Charest (Moson, Mass./UMass), Ralph Pace (Boston, Va./UMass) and David Ross (Brandon, Miss./Appalachian State). All three players are enrolled at USC this spring and have participated in spring practice.
“I’m very pleased with this recruiting class,” Berson said. “We have addressed our important needs. As we head into the 2005 season, clearly replacing Brad Guzan in goal is a major priority for us. We have four goalkeepers coming in and it’s wide open. That will be one of our important focuses during the preseason. “
Berson added that he is happy to have four in-state players join the Gamecock program.
“It’s exciting to have the state of South Carolina represented so prominently in this recruiting class. This is a credit to the high school and club coaches in this state who have developed this talent,” Berson said. “Across the board, this class will really help us going forward.”
Below is a brief bio on each student-athlete:
Rob Charest
Junior
Monson, Mass./UMass
Midfielder
Joins the Gamecock program after playing at UMass for two seasons … Enrolled at USC for the 2005 spring semester and is participating in the team’s spring workouts … In 2004, finished as UMass’ second-leading scorer with 18 points on seven goals and four assists … Started in all 15 games he played in … Following his freshman season in 2003, shared the team’s 12th man award after appearing in 17 games with two starting assignments … Scored three points on one goal and one assist as a freshman … As a senior at Monson High School, compiled 58 points on 24 goals and 10 assists … Closed his prep career with 95 goals … Was also a highly-decorated basketball and baseball player in high school … Parents are Robert and Diane Charest.
Coach Berson on Charest: “Rob is an active, exciting attacking player who will help us in the midfield, in both central and wide positions. He’s very comfortable with the ball and has good vision. He will bolster our the midfield next year.”
Kyle Franklin
Maryville, Tenn./Maryville High School
Forward
A four-year letterman for head coach John Kerr at Maryville High School … Earned All-District honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior … Named to the All-Region team as a sophomore and junior … Garnered All-State and District Forward of the Year honors as a junior … Played club soccer for the Knoxville (’87) Fire … A member of both the Tennessee State Olympic Development Team and the Region III ODP Team 2004-05 … Parents are Kelly and Kumiko Franklin … Full name is Steven “Kyle” Franklin.
Coach Berson on Franklin: “Kyle is a strong forward who can hold the ball and is a threat to score. As he gains experience, he will be a player that will help us in the attack.”
Franklin on Choosing South Carolina: “I chose USC because it is a nationally ranked team every year; it’s a good school academically and where I feel like I will be most comfortable all four years.”
Mike Gustavson
Aiken, S.C./South Aiken High School
Goalkeeper
Plays at South Aiken High School for Paul Waters … Earned All-Region honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior … Named All-State as a junior in 2004 … His South Aiken team captured the Region IV 4A Boys Soccer Championship in 2003 … Selected Team MVP in 2003 …Through 12 games in 2005, has allowed only three goals …Competes in club soccer for the Aiken Fire, which has won four state championships … Helped the Fire to the Region III semifinals three times and to the finals on two occasions … Team also won the U-15 Region III championship and went on to the national club finals in 2002 … Served as team captain for the Fire in 2003 … Parents are Bill and Susan Gustavson.
Coach Berson on Gustavson: “Mike is one of the premier players coming out of the state of South Carolina this year. He has excellent size, good reflexes and can play very well with his feet. Mike is an excellent competitor. As he gains experience at the college level, he will be an exciting player to watch.”
Gustavson on Choosing South Carolina: “I though it was the best fit for me. I liked the school atmosphere and the program is going in the right direction. (Coach Berson) was the first one to really look at me. I liked that, because he was a goalkeeper himself.”
Kevan Hawkins
Denton, Texas/Ryan High School
Midfielder/Forward
Lettered four years at Ryan High School for head coach David Rogers … Collected District Most Valuable Player honors in 2004 … Also named first-team All-District … Has scored 37 goals and 41 assists during his prep career … Competes in club soccer for the Dallas Comets … The Comets finished as North Texas State Cup runner-up, 2002-2004 … Helped team to the semifinals of the 2005 Dallas Cup … Parents are Brad and Lisa Hawkins.
Coach Berson on Hawkins: “Kevan is a very active attacking player who can play as a forward or midfielder. Technically, he’s very sound, and he has the ability to play a number of positions for us in the midfield or up front.”
Hawkins on Choosing South Carolina: “The University of South Carolina is great both academically and athletically. The soccer program has a fantastic tradition under Coach Berson.”
Ryan Jenkins
Maryville, Tenn./Maryville High School
Goalkeeper
Four-year letterwinner for coach John Kerr at Maryville High School … Collected District Goalkeeper of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2003 and as a junior in 2004 … Named All-Region in 2003 and 2004 … A member of the Tennessee Writer’s Association All-State team in 2004 … Earned All-Prep Xtra honors in 2004 … Posted a 1.27 goals-against average to go with seven shutouts in 2004 … Also Helped Maryville High to the district semifinals in 2003 and 2004.
Jenkins on Choosing South Carolina: “One of my best friends Cade Thompson is also coming to South Carolina to play quarterback, and another teammate of mine, Kyle Franklin, is also attending and playing soccer at USC. I like the school, and I have heard great things about the soccer program.”
Coach Berson on Jenkins: “Ryan is a goalkeeper who has good size and good technical tools. He was an outstanding basketball and football player in high school. As he focuses on soccer in college, he will be an exciting player to watch.”
Spencer Lewis
Irmo, S.C./Irmo High School
Midfield
Lettered two seasons in soccer at Irmo High School after attending Beaufort Academy in Beaufort, S.C., at a sophomore … Plays for head coach Phil Savitz at Irmo High … Helped lead Irmo to the 2004 4A State Championship and a No. 6 national ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) final poll … Heading into his senior year with 43 goals and 39 assists during his prep career … Named to the NSCAA All-South Region team … Also a member of the NSCAA’s Scholar All-South Region team … Earned team MVP honors at Beaufort Academy … Irmo’s Most Outsanding Midfielder as a junior … Plays club soccer for the Columbia Soccer Club Navy and serves as a captain of the U-18 team … Garnered Columbia Soccer Club Player of the Year honors … Team finished as state runner-up … Competed for South Carolina’s Olympic Development Program 2000-2004 … Full name is Payne “Spencer” Lewis … Parents are Wayne and Kay Lewis.
Coach Berson on Lewis: “Spencer is a versatile midfielder who can play centrally or out wide. He’s an excellent passer of the ball and reads the game very well. He’s a tremendous competitor who we welcome into the Carolina program.”
Lewis on Choosing South Carolina: “The campus atmosphere made me feel really comfortable and right at home. The coaches and players welcomed me like I was already part of the team, which made my decision even easier. It has always been my desire to play soccer at the next level and I feel USC was a good fit for me to further my soccer and academic career.”
Austin Moody
Columbia, S.C./Irmo High School
Goalkeeper
A three-year letterwinner and two-year team captain at Irmo High School, where he is coached by Phil Savitz … The 2004 4A Player of the Year, according to the High School Sports Report … Also named All-State by the publication … A National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America adidas All-American Scholar … Posted 14 shutouts in 25 games for Irmo High and compiled an 0.47 goals-against average in 2004 … Also led the Yellowjackets to 2003 and 2004 South Carolina 4A State Championship … Irmo was also ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA adidas poll during the 2004 season and finished the year at No. 6 … Played club soccer for the Columbia Soccer Burn Navy (’86) … Had an 0.25 goals-against average during the 2004 club season and totaled 10 shutouts in 12 games … Who’s Who Among American High School Students … Parents are Christy Moody Lee and David Lewis Moody.
Coach Berson on Moody: “Austin is a very quick, technical goalkeeper who has been at the heart of a great winning tradition in high school. He’s a smart goalkeeper who makes good decisions. We’re looking forward to watching him make the adjustment to the college game.”
Moody on Choosing South Carolina: “It has always been a dream of mine to be given the opportunity to play soccer at the next level, and to me, USC seemed to be a great choice. Here at USC, I’ll be given the chance to succeed on the pitch, as well as be forced to meet the rigorous demands of a university with such high academic standards. Also, while growing up in Columbia, I have always been a supporter of the Gamecocks, so getting a chance to be one is truly an honor and a privilege.”
Matt Mierley
Weston, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
Goalkeeper
Lettered four seasons for head coach John Walsch at St. Thomas Aquinas … A 2004 Elite 300 All-Star … Heading into his senior season, owned an 0.74 goals-against average and 83 shutouts … Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to the 2005 Florida state championship … Competes for the Weston Fury club team, which advanced to the U-17 club national championship match in 2004 … Fury won the 2004 Southern Region II title … Also a member of the Florida State Olympic Development Pool, 2000-04 … Also won the 2004 South Florida District Golf Championship .. Parents are Linda and John Mierley
Coach Berson on Mierley: “Matt is talented goalkeeper who played for the national championship with his club team and won the state championship with his high school team. He reads the game very well and keeps the ball out of the back of the net.”
Mierley on Choosing South Carolina: I chose the University of South Carolina for its strong International Business Program, tremendous school spirit and the chance to compete again for a National Championship.”
Ralph Pace
Junior
Boston, Va./UMass
Midfielder
Joins the Gamecock program after playing at UMass for two seasons … Enrolled at USC for the 2005 spring semester and is participating in the team’s spring workouts As a sophomore in 2004, Pace finished as UMass’ third-leading scorer with 10 points on three goals and four assists … As a freshman in 2003, he ranked fifth on the team in scoring with six points (1 g, 4 a), while playing 17 games and making five starts… Ranked tied for second on the squad with four assists … Lettered four years at Rappahannock High School in Boston, Va., before graduating in 2003 … Was a member of the Region I Olympic Development Program and served as a team captain for his final three seasons … Also lettered three years in golf as a prep … Ralph is the son of Mark and Sherry Pace.
Coach Berson on Pace: “Ralph is a versatile player who brings college experience into our program. He can play in the midfield or the back. He has excellent size and strength and can deliver the ball accurately over a distance. Ralph is a tenacious tackler and defender.”
David Ross
Brandon, Miss./Appalachian State
Junior
Midfielder
Competed in all 20 matches for Appalachian State, starting 13 times, in 2004 … Named Academic All-Conference … In 2003 as a freshman, saw action in 13 contests, two of those as a starting player … During his high school career, earned MPSA All-South honors for three years … Coached by Jon Marcus Duncan at Jackson Prep … Member of Jackson FC Club Team.
Coach Berson on Ross: “David is an attacking player in the midfield who play both centrally and out wide. He is technically very good on the ball and comes forward well in the attack.”
David Smith
Arlington, Texas/Summit High School
Midfield
Attends Summit High School and plays varsity soccer … Named first-team All-District in 2003 … Also selected the team’s Newcomer of the Year … Placed fourth in the national 3 vs. 3 tournament in 2002 … Plays club soccer for the Dallas Comets … A member of the Olympic Development State Team 2001-2002 …Named first-team All-District in 2003 … Helped the Comets to the semifinals of the 2005 Dallas Cup … A teammate of fellow USC commitment Kevan Hawkins on the Comets.
Coach Berson on Smith: “David can play in midfield, attack or defense. He is composed on the ball and serves and excellent ball. He will help bolster us in midfield and could see duty in some other areas as well.”
Heverton Souza
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Forward
Played soccer at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. … A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Coach Berson on Souza: “Heverton is one of the most exciting attacking players to come out of this year’s recruiting class nationally. He has excellent acceleration and change of pace and is a genuine goal scorer. His attacking play will help us in the fall as he learns to adjust to the college game.”
Brennan Williams
Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman High School
Midfielder
Lettered five years in soccer at Cardinal Newman … Named to The State newspaper’s All-Area team the last four years … Led his team in scoring in each of the last four years as well, amassing 50 goals and 67 assists … Helped Cardinal Newman to a SCISA runner-up finish in 2001 … Cardinal Newman advanced to the State semifinals 2002-05 … Named to the SCISA All-Region team … Played club soccer for the Northeast Columbia Soccer Association where he participated on two state championship teams … Finished his club career in the Premier League with the The St. Giles United U-18 team … Also played for the ’86 South Carolina Olympic Development team and the Greenville Lions Super Y Team … Nominated for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award … Active in National Honor Society and many other high school clubs … An Honor Roll student, Brennan is the son of Mark and Carole Williams. Mark and Sherry Pace.
Coach Berson on Williams: “Brennan is one of the most exciting players coming out of the state of South Carolina this year. He has excellent pace and reads the game well. He was also an outstanding basketball player in high school. As he focuses completely on soccer and makes the adjustment to the college game, he will contribute to our team on the left side.”
Williams on Choosing South Carolina: “Growing up in Columbia, I have always attended Coach Berson’s soccer camps and games since my earliest memories of play soccer. I am just so grateful to have the opportunity to play for such a prestigious program here at the University of South Carolina.”
