Aug. 24, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s soccer team will host High Point University in its lone exhibition contest of the 2009 season on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Stone Stadium. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Gametracker will be available via www.GamecocksOnline.com.

High Point, picked third in the recent Big South Preseason Poll, finished the 2008 season with a 9-8-3 overall record, including a 4-2-2 mark in league play, marking the first winning season for High Point since the 1997 campaign. The Panthers are led by a strong group of veteran players, including 2008 All-Big South honoree Hilaire Babou.

South Carolina also returns a veteran squad to the field in 2009. The Gamecocks look to build from a 2008 campaign that saw Carolina finish with an 8-6-5 record. Led by Preseason All-Conference USA honorees, goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and striker Sam Arthur, the Gamecocks also return 2008 all-conference players, Blake Brettschneider, Stephen Morrissey, Jeff Scannella, Tyler Ruthven and Mark Wiltse.

Following its exhibition against High Point, South Carolina opens the 2009 regular season with a home contest against Charlotte on Sept. 1 at Stone Stadium. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.