Coaches Select Gamecocks Third in SEC Preseason Poll
Aug. 11, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference coaches have selected No. 14 South Carolina to finish third in the SEC this year, the conference office announced Monday.
The Gamecocks are coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history, finishing 2013 with a No. 15 final ranking. South Carolina compiled a 17-4-2 record and posted the only undefeated home record in school history (11-0-0). With an 8-2-1 effort, Shelley Smith’s squad finished behind league co-champions Florida and Texas A&M. The team also recorded its sixth NCAA appearance in the last seven years.
Florida and Texas A&M are predicted to top the conference table again in 2014, with the Gators (164 points, six first-place votes) narrowly edging the Aggies (162 points, six first-place votes) as the favorite to claim the 2014 Southeastern Conference women’s soccer title.
Points were compiled on a 13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis, though each coach was not allowed to vote for their own team.
The Gamecocks began practice last week to prep for an exhibition match at Duke on Thurs., Aug. 14. After opening the regular season on the road at East Carolina Fri., Aug. 22, South Carolina kicks off its home slate against Samford on Sun., Aug. 24.
Season tickets are on sale now, with soccer fans getting the best deal ever offered for tickets. For $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under, purchasers receive a season ticket to every men’s and women’s soccer match this season, 22 in all, for an average price of under $1.50 per contest. In addition, season-ticket buyers will get an exclusive Gamecock Soccer scarf. To take advantage of the offer, call 1-800-4SC-FANS (1-800-472-3267) to purchase yours today.
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
Team, Points
Florida (8), 164
Texas A&M (6), 162
South Carolina, 136
Kentucky, 129
Tennessee, 125
LSU, 99
Georgia, 84
Arkansas, 77
Ole Miss, 71
Missouri, 71
Auburn, 66
Alabama, 51
Vanderbilt, 25
Mississippi State, 14
