No. 24 Gamecocks Host Winthrop Thursday in Exhibition
Aug. 17, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 24 South Carolina men’s soccer hits the field at Stone Stadium for the first time in 2016 as it hosts an exhibition against Winthrop on Thurs., Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. Admission is free for the event.
Thursday’s contest marks the second of three exhibition matches for the Gamecocks before they open regular-season play at Stone Stadium against No. 3 Clemson on Fri., Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. South Carolina Athletics will begin implementing its new clear bag policy at all ticketed events beginning with the women’s soccer match on Thurs., Aug. 25.
Carolina enters the matchup after earning a 1-1 draw against No. 8 North Carolina on Monday in Cary, N.C. Seniors Kevin Walker and Danny Deakin connected for a goal just six minutes in to the contest, while a bevy of underclassmen held the Tar Heels scoreless in the second half. A total of 22 players saw playing time of at least 34 minutes or more on the night.
Winthrop comes in following a 1-0 defeat to North Carolina in an exhibition last Friday. The Eagles, who return three starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament squad, were picked to finish third in the Big South Preseason Poll after posting a 7-1-1 mark in league play last season. The Gamecocks and Eagles battled to a 1-1 tie in an exhibition last season.
With the addition of the new Gamecock Soccer Complex, the entrance from Marion Street will be closed to fans, leaving two entrances for supporters on Whaley and Heyward Streets underneath the grandstand. Students are encouraged to use the Whaley Street gate as their entrance point to the facility. The standing-room-only gate behind the north goal at Stone Stadium is exit only.
Season tickets are on sale now, with soccer fans yet again getting the best deal offered for tickets. For $25 adults and $10 for youth 17 and under, purchasers receive a season ticket to every men’s and women’s soccer match this season and a customized Gamecock Soccer vuvuzela. To take advantage of the offer, call 800-472-3267 or visit GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets.
