Sept. 29, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina freshman J.D. Moon was one of 11 players from around the country selected to Soccer America’s National Team of the Week for Sept. 20-26, the publication announced on Wednesday. Moon scored his first collegiate goal to lift South Carolina to an impressive 1-0 victory over then-No. 13 Wake Forest in Winston-Salem last Friday.

Moon broke the scoreless tie in the 73rd minute of the match. USC played the ball down the left side of the field on a counter attack. Freshman Sebastian Lindholm crossed the ball in to Moon, who was on the run. Moon struck the ball in stride and knocked it past the Demon Deacon goalkeeper.

With the honor, Moon, a midfielder, becomes the first South Carolina player to earn national weekly recognition in 2004. He is also the only freshman to appear on this week’s Soccer America team.

The Gamecocks are 5-1-1 and ranked 15th nationally this week. The team will play at Davidson College Wednesday night at 7 p.m. USC is back at home after a four-match road trip on Sunday, Oct. 3, when it entertains Gardner Webb at 4 p.m. at Stone Stadium.

Soccer America National Team of the Week (Sept. 20-26)GOALKEEPER
Kris Rake (William & Mary), Soph.

DEFENDERS
Cameron Knowles (Akron), Sr.
Laurent Manuel (Brown), Fr.
Guy Melamed (Boston College), Sr.

MIDFIELDERS
J.D. Moon (South Carolina), Fr.
Nick Pollard (Southwest Missouri State), Sr.

FORWARDS
Karim Dietz (Birmingham-Southern), Sr.
Alex Harrison (Central Connecticut State), Soph.
Neil Jones (UC Santa Barbara), Sr.
Jacob Peterson (Indiana), Soph.
Edwin Ruiz (Hartwick), Sr.