Aug. 10, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the 2011 Conference USA Preseason Poll, released on Wednesday by the league. Sophomore midfielder Bradlee Baladez was also selected to the 12-man 2011 C-USA Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team.

Both the preseason team and poll are selected by the league’s men’s soccer coaches.

SMU was picked to win Conference USA, followed by UCF in second and Tulsa in third. Following the Gamecocks in fourth was Kentucky, UAB, Marshall, FIU and Memphis.

Baladez returns for his sophomore campaign after a freshman season in 2010 that saw the Mesquite, Texas, native score six goals, including five game winners. Baladez, a 2010 C-USA All-Freshman Team and Third Team selection, started all 22 games for Carolina, posting 63 shots, last season.

South Carolina began its preseason for the 2011 campaign on Wednesday. Continue to visit GamecocksOnline.com throughout the preseason for updates. Carolina will kick off its 2011 season with an exhibition contest vs. Elon on Aug, 20, at Stone Stadium.

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).

The complete preseason poll and team is listed below:

Preseason Team Poll (1st place votes)
SMU (5)
UCF (2)
Tulsa (1)
South Carolina (1)
Kentucky
UAB
Marshall
FIU
Memphis

C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Arthur Ivo, SMU

C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Justin Chavez, Tulsa

2011 C-USA Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
Dylan Asher, Kentucky, D
Bradlee Baladez, South Carolina, F
Juan Castillo, SMU, F
Justin Chavez, Tulsa, D
Warren Creavalle, UCF, M
Kevan George, UCF, D
Anthony Hobbs, FIU, D
Arthur Ivo, SMU, M
Matt Lodge, Kentucky, M
Nik Robson, UCF, F
Babayele Sodade, UAB, F
Daniel Withrow, Marshall, GK

Note: Twelve players appear on the preseason all-conference team because of a voting tie.