Aug. 10, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – A combination of talented returning players and a contingent of gifted newcomers is looking to succeed in the 2006 soccer season for South Carolina with goals and aspirations of postseason berths in the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Following an inadequate year that saw a good team not obtain the results desired, South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith anticipates a better squad that will test every team that stares across the field at the garnet and black.
“We are excited to return a strong core of players including several juniors,” said Coach Smith. “We have relied on a large group of freshmen and sophomores the past two years and they have more experience heading into the year. The team has worked hard and made a commitment to be more prepared than ever going into this season. With the improvements of the returning players combined with some key freshmen, we should be ready to reach our potential this fall after a season where we underachieved.”
The attitude is upbeat and players have taken accountability for a below average campaign in the previous year. A fervent work ethic has accompanied the team through the spring and summer that looks to produce a top, quality team to compete in the SEC and across the nation.
“Our players have gone away and found teams to play on, or they have stayed in Columbia and worked together all summer with the strength coach and each other,” said Smith. “We have moved some players around on field to solidify our lineup after not having much flexibility last fall due to injuries. If we can stay healthy, we will already be a step ahead of where we finished last fall.”
Among the returning players for Carolina include All-SEC midfielder Ashley Kirk, Trinidad national team forward Darcel Mollon and senior co-captain and defender, Erin Geldhof. The advantage of nine returning starters to go along with the fifth best recruiting class in the SEC (Soccer Buzz) has Carolina positioned to return to a spot among the best teams in the conference and throughout the Southeast region.
“Leading the way is Ashley Kirk,” said Smith. “She has grown into her leadership role and should be even more of a leader on the field from her central position. She already showed that in the spring and that will make our team more effective on the field. Geldhof as a captain is expected to be much more of a leader on and off the field.”
AROUND THE FIELD
FORWARDS
South Carolina projects a higher goal tally this season with the return of senior forward and leading scorer Darcel Mollon. Along with her experience with Trinidad at an international level, Mollon has adapted to play in the United States and Division I over the last year with a stop in Charlotte as well this summer in the W-1 League.
“Darcel has worked hard over the year, continued playing this summer at a high level and has been scoring goals,” said Coach Smith. “She has made the transition this past year and elevated her game, now she is finishing her chances. We hope that she will continue to show this during the college season.”
The return of Mollon as well as sophomore Mary Worthen should give the Gamecocks a pair of experienced goal scorers who look to improve on last year’s scoring.
“Worthen and Mollon have both showed tremendous growth in their game over the past year and will threaten opponents with their speed and ability to finish,” said Smith.
Carolina also expects several newcomers to be key additions and bolster the goal scoring for the 2006 season. Samantha Diaz-Matosas enters the Carolina program as one of the top recruits out of the state of Georgia. Diaz-Matosas earned several player of the year awards in the Peach State and is expected to contribute immediately in the offensive third.
“Samantha has proven herself in high school as a state player of the year,” said Smith. “She has the ability to score goals. She is quick, athletic and powerful. Another versatile player, we will expect her to be on the field either scoring goals up top or creating an attack on the flanks.”
MIDFIELD
The Gamecocks are loaded in the midfield with a bevy of players. Junior midfielders Ashley Kirk and Erin Sullivan join sophomore Monica Hogan as one of the better tandems of center mids in the conference.
“We look to be deepest in the midfield with several players who can possess the ball and win the middle of the field,” said Smith. Kirk, Hogan and Sullivan are all skilled, good in possession and will do well in getting the ball to players that can score if not themselves.”
Kirk and Sullivan spent extensive time in the midfield and were large contributors to the control of play for the Gamecock offensive attack. Limited by a midseason injury that kept her out of the final half of the season, Hogan provided sparks early into her freshman year and will be projected to score and assist for the USC offense. Junior Annie Galloway also fills in at center midfield role.
The flanks return senior M.A. Foster and sophomore Kim Boulos with Mollon and Worthen also with the ability to drop back from the spot up top at forward to play down the side.
The midfield should also receive an immediate impact from the freshman class including Shannon Bigbie, Leah Loguidice, Kim Miller, Aly Shattls and Caitlin Stojkovic.
DEFENSE
Carolina’s back four receives a new look this year with two former midfielders moving to fit into the Gamecock defensive scheme. Juniors Courtney Cobbs and Kimmy Gillespie finished last year with playing time in the back and practiced in the spring in the same spots. Along with senior defender Erin Geldhof, the Gamecocks look to have three experienced players directing the line.
“Cobbs and Gillespie have worked hard to solidify themselves as consistent players among the backline,” said Smith. “Geldhof has always led by example, hard work on and off the field, but now she is expected to be more vocal.”
Junior defender Kali Neumann made a majority of starts for Carolina last year and hopes to return from a nagging injury that kept her out of spring practice and summer workouts. Neumann has 34 starts in two years of experience for the Carolina defense.
The defense also receives a boost in freshman Blakely Mattern, who enters the Carolina program as the top prep player from the state of South Carolina.
“Blakely will be a top defender for us,” said Smith. “She deserved her accolades last year as player of the year and should make her home state proud. We are excited to showcase her talent.”
Along with the midfield, freshman Kim Miller may also see time at defender in a revamped Carolina backfield.
“Kim is a very solid player who is also versatile,” said Smith. “We will find a place on for her on the field. She played with and against top club players across the country and should contribute right away.”
GOALKEEPERS
South Carolina is deep as well in the goalkeeper position with juniors Lindsay Thorstenson and Laura Armstrong competing for time with freshman Mollie Patton.
Thorstenson and Armstrong have each shined in moments for Carolina. Thorstenson posted two shutouts and four wins last year and expects to improve on her 1.53 goals against average. Armstrong had one shutout and two wins in four starts last year and has big-game experience with a shutout victory two years ago against nationally-ranked Clemson.
Patton brings impressive credentials to Columbia as the goalkeeper for the Region II team (Midwest) as well as the Ohio South ODP program. She has also attended the National camp three times in her career in her age group.
“Mollie will challenge for the goalkeeper position right away,” said Smith. “Depending on how she has prepared for her freshman year compared to how Lindsay and Laura return, will determine how much playing time she will receive. Because of her strong talent, she is capable of challenging our returning keepers.”
SCHEDULE
The 20-game schedule is as tough as ever for Carolina with top teams in and out of the Southeast region challenging the Gamecocks. It all kicks off on Aug. 25 with the Gamecocks playing in the Tiger Invitational on the campus of the University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.) against Big Ten foes, Illinois and Iowa.
“Our non-conference schedule will be a great preparation for our conference play,” said Smith. “That first weekend will be a tournament in Missouri and the challenge to face two top opponents, unfamiliar with each other.”
Carolina’s home opener is set for Aug. 31 against in-state school Francis Marion, followed up by a pair of home matches against James Madison and The Citadel.
For the second consecutive season, USC will be featured in the Carolina Cup. This year’s Carolina Cup is at Furman with the Gamecocks facing Charlotte on Sept. 9 before a Sept. 11 match against the Lady Paladins.
Mark the calendars down, Friday, Sept. 15, as Carolina and Clemson renew their rivalry on the soccer field. The showdown is set for 7 pm at Stone Stadium. USC closes out the non-conference portion of the schedule on Sept. 17 vs. another set of Gamecocks, this group from Jacksonville State.
The SEC season begins on the road this year with tests at Alabama and Auburn to jumpstart the conference slate. Carolina returns to Columbia with a pair of SEC Eastern Division opponents in defending SEC champion Tennessee and Georgia making an appearance at the Graveyard. The match vs. the Lady Vols is Sept. 29 with the weekend closer against the Bulldogs.
“The SEC is always a battle, but we will be tested early to sort out any adjustments that need to be made before our home SEC opener against Tennessee.”
Following the early series of conference match-ups, Carolina will again retreat to the road for matches at Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Oct. 13 and Oct. 15 are home matches for Carolina against Mississippi State and Ole Miss. USC will then host LSU and travel to Arkansas before closing out the regular season at home on Friday, Oct. 27 against the Florida Gators. Senior Day ceremonies will be held before the match.
The SEC Tournament will be held for the third time in Orange Beach, Ala. beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 1 – Sunday, Nov. 5 with the championship game televised on SEC-TV/Fox Sports Net South. The NCAA postseason then begins culminatiting in the Women’s College Cup held the first weekend of December in Cary, N.C.
