Sept. 4, 2007

IRVING, TEX. – South Carolina freshman forward Blake Brettschneider has been named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Brettschneider scored the game-winning tally in Carolina’s 1-0 victory over then No. 12-Clemson in last Friday’s season opener.

Brettschneider battled through 90 minutes of regulation and nearly two complete sudden death overtime sessions before registering the winning Gamecock goal in the 109th minute of play on an assist from teammate David Smith. The goal marked the first of Brettschneider’s career. In addition, the Lilburn, Ga., native led Carolina in shots with four in the contest. Brettschneider is the first Gamecock to receive player of the week accolades since Ayo Akinsete (offensive) and Mike Gustavson (defensive) swept the weekly conference awards on Oct. 23, 2006.

Carolina kicks off its 2007 home season at Stone Stadium on Tuesday night in a contest with Presbyterian College at 7 p.m. The Gamecocks continue the non-conference portion of their schedule at the UConn Adidas Classic, Sept. 7-8, in Storrs, Conn. USC opens tournament action against UConn on Friday at 7 p.m., and concludes weekend play with a 4 p.m. contest against USF on Saturday. Visit gamecocksonline.com for complete Carolina men’s soccer coverage.