Dec. 10, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina finished the 2013 season ranked No. 15 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I National Poll, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday. It is the Gamecocks highest finish in the final rankings since ending the 2009 season at No. 9, and only the second time they have finished in the Top 15.
The team was one of three representatives from the Southeastern Conference in the Top 25 along with Florida (No. 10) and Texas A&M (No. 8).
South Carolina concluded the season with a heart-breaking 1-0 overtime loss to Stanford, who finished No. 9, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Drake Stadium on the campus of UCLA.
Despite the second round defeat, the season proved to be one of the best in program history. After being unranked to start the season and receiving votes during the first couple weeks of the season, Carolina was a mainstay in the NSCAA’s Top 25 after the team entered the poll on Sept. 10 at No. 18, and found itself outside of the Top 20 only once throughout the remainder of the season.
This season also marked the first time since 2009 that the team had not only reached the Top 10 in the coaches’ poll, but also remained there in consecutive weeks (Oct. 29-Nov. 5). The No. 7 ranking on Oct. 15 was the program’s highest since reaching No. 5 on Oct. 12, 2009. After finishing the regular season 14-2-2, the Gamecocks found themselves ranked No. 9, becoming the first team in program history to finish the regular season in the Top 10.
South Carolina’s final record of 17-4-2 was the second-best mark in school history, while the team put together the program’s only undefeated season at home at 11-0-0.
The strong season has also seen the postseason honors flying in with junior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo most recently becoming the third player in program history to be named to the NSCAA All-America Team, and the second Gamecock to garner first team accolades. She also became the program’s first player to be named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. This came after earning First Team All-South region honors as well being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-SEC for the second time in her career.
Also earning postseason honors were redshirt junior defender Taylor Leach, who was selected to the All-South second team and to the All-SEC first team. Senior forward Danielle Au earned a spot on the All-South third team and Capital One Academic All-America third team. Freshman midfielder Chelsea Drennan earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshmen Team.
