Gamecocks Host Mercer In NCAA Tournament

Nov. 14, 2016

2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship Bracket

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team earned its second straight bid to the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon and will face Mercer in the opening round. Kickoff time has not been set yet, but the game will be at Stone Stadium on Thursday. The match will mark the program’s 22nd all-time tournament appearance.

“I’m really excited for our guys, for our staff,” said head men’s soccer coach Mark Berson. “The guys have done a real good job all year, and it has been tough. We’ve had some really close results that got away from us. Nevertheless, I feel like the team has improved and worked hard all year. When you get into the tournament, it’s a real testimony to the work that these guys have done throughout the course of the season.”

The Gamecocks and Bears squared off earlier this season on Aug. 30, with Mercer coming out on top 3-2 in overtime. Carolina trailed 2-0 in the match and tallied two second half goals to force extra time. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series with the Bears 8-1-0, outscoring them 30-8.

South Carolina finished the season 10-7-1, marking the 31st double-digit win season under the direction of Berson. The Gamecocks finished second in Conference USA during the regular season with a 5-2-1 record in league play.

Information on tickets will be released for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament matches when available.

The Gamecocks are one of four C-USA school’s to be selected to this year’s NCAA Tournament. 10th-seeded Charlotte, 16th-seeded Kentucky, and New Mexico will be joining Carolina in the field. Check back on GamecocksOnline.com for more details about Thursday’s match versus Mercer.