Nov. 6, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team placed three players on the 2006 SEC All-Tournament team. Junior goalkeeper Laura Armstrong, junior midfielder Ashley Kirk and freshman defender Blakely Mattern all received conference recognition following their play this past weekend. For the first time in school history, USC reached to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament after advancing past Vanderbilt on penalty kicks last Wednesday evening. Carolina was defeated in the semis by the top seeded and nationally ranked Florida Gators.

Armstrong came up big in goal against Vanderbilt including two stops in penalty kicks and a goal of her own against VU keeper Tyler Griffin that helped lead the Gamecocks into the semifinal round. Armstrong finished the year with a 0.70 goals against average, the best individual GAA in Carolina history.

Kirk played strong in the midfield and Mattern had a solid tournament at defender in both matches for Carolina at the SEC Tournament as both earned their accolades. Kirk and Mattern were also second team All-SEC selections on the year and two of only five players to start all 22 matches on the year for the Gamecocks.