Oct. 9, 2006

University of South Carolina goalkeeper Mike Gustavson has been named the Conference USA Defensive Player of Week, the league office announced Monday. Gustavson is the first Gamecock to win the award this season.

Gustavson, a native of Aiken, S.C., made six saves, including an important stop with less than four minutes in regulation, as the No. 9 Gamecocks defeated Florida International, 1-0, on Saturday in Columbia. Gustavson has recorded six shutouts, including a pair against Conference USA foes, and in four league games, the sophomore boasts a 0.47 goals-against average and an .882 save percentage. Overall, Gustavson owns a 0.90 goals-against average.

This is the second time Gustavson has been honored during his career. He also picked up the weekly honor on Nov. 7, 2005.

South Carolina (10-2-0, 3-1-0 C-USA) returns to action this weekend with a road match at Marshall. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Huntington, W.Va.