Oct. 29, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina women’s soccer senior goalkeeper Elise Matthews has been named to the Soccer America Team of the Week following her performance in goal for the Gamecocks last weekend. Matthews who also earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, made a career-high 18 saves vs. Ole Miss on Friday and compiled two shutouts on the weekend in a 0-0 tie vs. the Rebels and a 1-0 victory vs. Mississippi State.

The 18 saves for Matthews against Ole Miss is also the highest total for a SEC goalkeeper this season and the third highest total by a player in NCAA Division I action. The 18 saves is also the second highest in USC history and the fifth highest in SEC history.

Matthews lowered her goals against average to 0.81 on the season and now owns seven shutouts on the year, also a career-high for the senior from Charlotte, N.C. Four of Matthews’ seven shutouts have come in SEC action (Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State). Matthews has started all 19 matches this season making 67 saves on her way to a 10-6-3 record.

Matthews is the lone goalkeeper on the Soccer America Team of the Week. In addition to one goalkeeper, four defenders, four midfielders and three forwards receive recognition for their play on the field over the course of one week.

South Carolina women’s soccer returns to action on Saturday, November 1 at Noon at Florida. The Gamecocks enter with a 10-6-3 record and 3-3-2 mark in the SEC. Carolina will clinch its second consecutive berth in the SEC Tournament with a win or tie. The Gamecocks also can earn a berth despite a loss if Alabama loses or ties at Auburn. If South Carolina loses and Alabama wins, the combined point differential must be 10 or less for Carolina to earn a berth.