Nov. 16, 2005

The South Carolina men’s soccer team rose in the national polls this week after winning the Conference USA Tournament Championship on Nov. 13 in Dallas, Texas.

The Gamecocks broke into the national rankings last week, occupying the 24th spot in Soccer America’s top 25 poll, but have moved up to No. 17 after capturing the C-USA Tournament crown. USC is also No. 17 in the College Soccer News Top 30 poll, up from 28th a week ago. Carolina made its debut in the Soccer Times Top 25 at No. 23 this week.

South Carolina is 12-6-2 and unbeaten in its last seven matches heading into Friday’s NCAA Tournament first round game at Wake Forest (11-7-2). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Demon Deacons, appear in two of the four national polls this week. Wake is No. 19 in the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America poll and No. 23, according to Soccer America.