Nov. 18, 2002

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team (11-7-1) received an at-large bid into the 2002 NCAA Tournament, making this the 16th tournament appearance for the Gamecocks.

USC, playing in its third consecutive NCAA Tournament, will host Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 4:00 p.m. This marks the 11th time USC has hosted a first round match. The Gamecocks are 7-3 all-time when hosting the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the South Carolina-Coastal Carolina match will play at Clemson on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Tickets for Saturday’s showdown are currently on sale at the South Carolina ticket office. They will also be available at Eugene Stone Stadium on Saturday. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

“We are very pleased to appear in the national tournament,” stated Head Coach Mark Berson. ” Our players have worked very hard all year and played a demanding schedule. I hope the hard-knocks and the lessons we have learned from playing a tough schedule have given them valuable experience for the post season. I am pleased for our seniors who are appearing in their third NCAA Tournament”

This year’s field consists of 48 teams, 22 automatic bids and 26 at-large bids. The top 16 teams received first-round byes. Ticket information will be available on Tuesday.