March 4, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team held its annual awards banquet over the weekend, with the group in attendance celebrating the 2012 season and awarding several team accolades. South Carolina head men’s soccer coach Mark Berson and his assistant coaches, Spencer Lewis and Joey Worthen, awarded senior defender/forward Mike Mangotic with the John Johnson team MVP award at the event.

Mangotic was also awarded the Bill Lauritzen team Defensive MVP award. The Brian Winstead Offensive MVP was awarded to junior striker Bradlee Baladez, who signed with MLS club FC Dallas during the offseason. Senior defender Kevin Stam was awarded the Coaches Award and sophomore forward Snoopy Davidson and freshman midfielder Ryan Arambula shared the team Strength and Conditioning award.

The team was also recognized for its cumulative GPA of 3.46, which ranked tied for sixth nationally by the NSCAA late last year. Academic accolades were also awarded by class, with Connor Steele earning the honor for the freshman class, Braeden Troyer for the sophomores, Stephen Anderson for the junior class and Stam for the seniors.

South Carolina continues its spring season with a Sat, March 23, scrimmage vs. 2012 NCAA Tournament participant Charlotte. The Gamecocks earned a 1-0 victory vs. Mercer in the team’s first spring match.