Sept. 27, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – For the second consecutive week, a South Carolina women’s soccer player has been named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week. Junior goalkeeper Laura Armstrong is one 18 players and three goalkeepers in the nation to be recognized for her efforts last week following a pair of shutouts in wins over Alabama and nationally ranked Auburn. This is the second honor for Armstrong, who also was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

“I’m excited for Laura to be recognized,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “She has done a great job for us and it’s a credit to our entire defense as well. The keeper gets the shutout but it’s really the entire team that earns that. It’s a team effort when you defend and Laura has been solid to keep the ball out of the net when there are any chances.”

Armstrong came up big in goal this week for USC with three saves in the 2-0 victory against the Crimson Tide and four saves as well in a 1-0 win over Auburn, ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation last week. Sunday’s win at Auburn was the first time in school history that USC has defeated a ranked opponent on the road. Carolina is 8-3 on the year, 2-0 in SEC play and currently rides a five-game winning streak into this weekend’s matches vs. Tennessee and Georgia at home at Stone Stadium.

Armstrong has started all 11 matches for the Gamecocks this year and has been strong between the posts with a 0.49 goals against average and just five goals allowed the entire season. Her goals against average leads the SEC. She has also posted four individual shutouts as well as a part of two team shutouts as well. The Gamecock defense has limited its opponent this season to one goal or less in all 11 matches played this year.

Last week, freshman defender Blakely Mattern was named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week.