Sept. 29, 2015

NSCAA National Poll – Sept. 29, 2015 | Soccer America Poll – Sept. 29, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s soccer continued hauling in good news on Tuesday, as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America ranked the Gamecocks 19th in their Week 5 poll, while Soccer America put the team 13th in its latest rankings.

Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper William Pyle earned placement on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.

The Gamecocks stand at 5-2-1 on the season after beating two top-10 teams at home last week in No. 8 Elon and No. 7 New Mexico. It marks the second time since 1996 that South Carolina downed top-10 foes in consecutive matches, with the previous time coming in 2000 against No. 3 Virginia and No. 8 Maryland. Last season, the Gamecocks earned a No. 17 ranking after toppling No. 25 Clemson as part of a 3-0 start. Yesterday, the Gamecocks stood ninth in the first NCAA RPI report, 18th in College Soccer News’ top 30 and 17th in Top Drawer Soccer top 25.

Pyle played in goal in the last three wins for the Gamecocks, with the only two goals allowed in those matches coming off set pieces. He stopped six shots combined in the victories over the Phoenix and Lobos. He’s the 11th South Carolina player to make a Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week and the first since Will Traynor did on Nov. 15, 2010. Pyle was also the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.

South Carolina, led by the winningest active head coach in NCAA Division I Mark Berson, heads to Marshall for its next match. Kickoff versus the Herd is set for 7 p.m. at Hoops Family Field.