Aug. 30, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team will begin its 2007 campaign on Friday night, facing the 12th-ranked Clemson Tigers in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Riggs Field in Clemson. The meeting marks the 35 in the series history where the Tigers hold a 22-11-1 overall advantage.

Carolina returns four starters and 16 letterwinners from its 2006 squad, which posted an 11-5-1 record. Led by 2006 Conference USA Freshman of the Year honoree Jeff Scannella, who tallied four goals and three assists in his first season at the collegiate level, USC aims for its second Conference USA Championship in the last three seasons.

USC head coach Mark Berson enters his 30th season (402-153-46) as a collegiate head coach and his 29th (391-148-46) at the helm of the Gamecock program in 2007. During Berson’s tenure, USC has made two College Cup appearances, 18 NCAA tournament appearances and has won two conference championships (Conference USA, 2005; Metro Conference, 1993). Entering Friday’s contest, the Gamecocks hold a 6-12 all-time record in Clemson.

The season-opening contest will be webcast live and on-demand via ACCSelect.com for a fee of $4.99.