Aug. 4, 2017

2017 United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” South Carolina women’s soccer claimed the No. 4 spot in the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) Preseason Poll, the organization announced Friday. The ranking marks the program’s highest preseason position in the coaches poll.

Carolina, which ended its historic 2016 campaign ranked No. 5 in the coaches poll, will enter the fall listed in the top 15 for the third time in the last four years. The Gamecocks were ranked No. 14 heading into their 2014 campaign, and they earned a No. 11 preseason ranking in 2015. Their No. 2 listing in the poll during the regular season last year marked the highest ranking in program history.

South Carolina is one of four SEC schools ranked inside the top 25, joining No. 7 Florida, No. 10 Auburn and No. 17 Arkansas. The Gamecocks face the Razorbacks (Oct. 8) and Gators (Oct. 26) on the road this season.

Other ranked opponents on Carolina’s 2017 slate include No. 18 Notre Dame (Sept. 1) and No. 13 Clemson (Sept. 8).

This year’s team returns five starters and 12 letterwinners from last season’s squad that notched a program-best 21 wins and earned the program’s second NCAA Elite Eight berth in the last three years. Carolina captured the 2016 SEC Regular-Season Title after boasting an 11-0-0 league mark, and the Gamecocks became the first team in conference soccer history to end the regular season unbeaten (17-0-1).

South Carolina opens the regular season at home against UCF on Fri., Aug. 18, before hosting Florida Gulf Coast two days later on Sun. Aug. 20. Both matches are set to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET at Stone Stadium.

For the fourth-straight year, South Carolina men’s and women’s soccer have tamed up to offer the best season ticket deal for Gamecock fans. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under, and with the season pass fans receive admission to all 19 men’s and women’s home matches. Season tickets can be purchased at GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets or by calling 800-472-3267.