Aug. 20, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gamecock men’s soccer team travels to High Point on Saturday for the first of two exhibition contests prior to the start of the 2010 regular season. South Carolina is led by veteran head coach Mark Berson who enters his 33rd season at the helm of the Gamecock program this fall.

South Carolina has never faced High Point in a regular season contest, however the teams met last year in exhibition action in Columbia where the Gamecocks collected a 4-0 victory.

South Carolina is led by an experienced group in 2010, including senior goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer, defenders Evan O’Dell, Will Traynor and Mark Wiltse, and forwards Sam Arthur, Blake Brettschneider and Mike Lindsay.

High Point is led by 2009 Big South Coach of the Year, Dustin Fonder. The Panthers collected their best Division I record in school history last season with a 9-7-2 mark. High Point is led on the field by sophomore midfielder Shawn Sloan, the 2009 Big South Freshman of the Year. Sloan led the 2009 squad with six goals and 36 shots. Junior goalkeeper Michael Chesler paces the Panther defense. Chesler earned a 1.30 goals against average in 2009, while collecting 74 saves.

Season tickets for men’s soccer, which includes admission to all home games, are currently on sale in the Gamecock Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at GamecocksOnline.com, or by calling 1-800-4SC-FANS. Cost for season tickets for men’s soccer is $25 for adults and $10 for youth (17 and under).