Aug. 26, 2009
| South Carolina vs. College of Charleston | Thursday, 7 p.m. |
 | Live Video Broadcast  |
| General Information |
Game Notes  | Promotions |
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team opens its 2009 season at home Thursday night when the College of Charleston visits Stone Stadium for a 7 p.m. match. The meeting is the first between the intra-state rivals since the 2002 season. South Carolina holds the series advantage, 3-1-2.
The game is a change from the traditional and previously announced Friday night match as the teams hit the field at the newly renovated Eugene E. Stone III Stadium on the corner of Whaley and Heyward Street. Fans are reminded that due to construction on the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center, parking has changed for the 2009 season and the gravel lot in front of the stadium will not be available for fans. Plenty of parking will be available throughout the block, including at The Roost parking lot, in the diagonal spots along Heyward Street marked “Contractor Parking,” on Marion Street (between Stone Stadium and the Indoor Fieldhouse), and along Sumter Street (West side of stadium).
The Gamecocks return 10 starters from last season’s NCAA Tournament team that went 11-7-4. Seniors Blakely Mattern and Kim Miller return as co-captains for a team that recently defeated the Mexico National Team, 2-0, in an exhibition friendly last Friday night in Greenville, S.C. Mexico has since gone on to defeat Kennesaw State (5-0) and TCU (4-1).
Thursday’s match is deemed Faculty/Staff Night, but the party also extends to all South Carolina students. All students with proper student ID’s will receive FREE PIZZA at the game. Arrive early to be sure you are not left out!
ON THE HORIZON
The Gamecocks will take on Western Carolina Sunday at 2 p.m. in Columbia in the second meeting between the schools. The Catamounts upset the 20th-ranked Gamecocks last season 1-0 in Cullowhee, N.C.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN SEASON OPENERS
South Carolina enters the 2009 season with an all-time record of 7-5-2 in season openers. Three games have gone into overtime, including the 2001 match between the Gamecocks and Cougars at Charleston.
