Gamecocks Claim Top Spot In First RPI Ranking Of 2017
Sept. 18, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina women’s soccer claimed the top spot in the first RPI ranking of 2017, the NCAA announced Monday morning.
The No. 1 ranking marks the highest in program history for the Gamecocks. South Carolina spent eight weeks ranked inside the RPI top-five last season, earning a top-three listing four times throughout the stretch.
Stanford (No. 2), Texas (No. 3), UCF (No. 4) and North Carolina (No. 5) rounded out the top-five in Monday’s rankings. South Carolina moved past the Knights 2-0 in its season opener back on Aug. 18 behind goals from sophomore Elexa Bahr and freshman Lauren Chang.
The Gamecocks, who sport a mark of 7-1-0 (1-0-0 SEC) this season, have notched three other wins over teams listed inside the top-30 of the RPI rankings. Carolina topped Notre Dame (No. 21) and Michigan (No. 27) at the Notre Dame Invitational (Sept. 1-3) and downed Clemson (No. 17) on Sept. 8.
The Gamecocks continue SEC play this week with a pair of matches against Kentucky and Tennessee. Carolina faces the Wildcats on the road on Thu., Sept. 21 (7:30 p.m. ET), and it plays host to the Volunteers three days later on Sun., Sept. 24 (2 p.m. ET). Tennessee is listed at No. 11 in the NCAA RPI rankings, and this Sunday’s contest at Stone Stadium can be seen on SEC Network+ through WatchESPN.
