Aug. 22, 2002

Columbia, S.C. –
The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team is ranked 16th in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll released Thursday afternoon. Indiana University is ranked first, with Stanford second and St. John’s third. National Champion North Carolina was selected fourth.

South Carolina was ranked 13th in the College Soccer News Preseason Poll released on August 12. The Gamecocks will face five ranked teams including No. 4 North Carolina, No. 7 Rutgers, No. 9 Clemson, No. 21 Furman and No. 24 Wake Forest.
Men’s Soccer opens the 2002 season with an exhibition match against Appalachian State on Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium.

2002 NSCAA Preseason Poll
1. Indiana
2. Stanford
3. St. John’s
4. North Carolina
5. Virginia
6. Connecticut
7. Rutgers
8. Southern Methodist
9. Clemson
10. Maryland
11. St. Louis
12. Washington
13. UCLA
14. Fairleigh Dickinson
15. UAB
16. SOUTH CAROLINA
17. Penn State
18. Boston College
19. Creighton
20. Kentucky
21. Furman
22. Loyola (Md.)
23. Syracuse
24. San Diego
24. Wake Forest