Men’s Soccer Holds Banquet to Celebrate 2006 Season

April 23, 2007

The University of South Carolina men’s soccer program held its 2006-07 banquet on Thursday, April 19, at the Clarion Town House in Columbia.

The John M. Johnson Team MVP Award, the Brian Winstead Offensive MVP Award and the Bill Lauritzen Defensive MVP Award were all presented Thursday. Senior Mike Sambursky received the John M. Johnson Award, which is voted on by the team and coaches. Established in 1982, the award is named in honor of Johnson, who was an avid South Carolina soccer fan and lifelong supporter of the program.

Sambursky also accepted the Brian Winstead Award as the team’s most valuable offensive player. The award honors the memory of Gamecock soccer pioneer Brian Winstead. Winstead was the first player to sign a scholarship agreement with South Carolina in the team’s inaugural varsity season in 1978 and went on to earn All-Region honors. His son Matt is currently a freshman on the Carolina soccer team.

Senior Ryan Leeton was the recipient of the first Bill Lauritzen Defensive Most Valuable Player Award. Lauritzen was the longtime coach of the South Carolina men’s soccer club team.

Senior Makan Hislop received the Coaches Award, given to the player that was most instrumental to the team’s success.

Plaques were presented to those players that made the all-Conference USA Teams.

The Gamecocks were ranked as high as No. 6 nationally and concluded the 2006 season with an 11-5-1 record.

A complete list of banquet awards is included below:

Conference-USA Awards

All-Conference 3rd Team = Jeff Scannella & Ayo Akinsete

All-Conference 2nd Team = Makan Hislop & Ralph Pace

All-Conference 1st Team = Ryan Leeton & Mike Sambursky

All-Freshman Team = Mark Wiltse & Jeff Scannella

Freshman of the Year = Jeff Scannella

All-Academic Team = Ryan Leeton

John M. Johnson Award – Team MVP = Mike Sambursky