Six Named to SEC Preseason Watch List
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina had six individuals named to the Southeastern Conference preseason women’s soccer watch list, announced by the conference Thursday. Anna Patten, Jyllissa Harris, Lauren Chang, Samantha Chang, Ryan Gareis and Luciana Zullo were named to the list.
Patten returns to the Gamecocks after scoring four goals as a defender in 2019. The senior defender has the credentials on the field, including winning at least one championship in each of her last three seasons (won two with Florida State in 2018). The Harpenden, England, native has scored seven career goals and has contributed to 39 shutouts in her three seasons in collegiate soccer. Patten was named to the All-SEC Second Team last season and was the only two-time Defensive Player of the Week in the SEC in 2019.
As a midfielder Lauren Chang is the returning active leader in career goals scored (15), assists (8) and points (38) for the Gamecocks. She’s the lone two-time All-SEC player that returns to Carolina in 2020 and is also a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region honoree. She scored the only Gamecock brace in 2019, netting two goals in a 3-0 win over Georgia.
Zullo brings back the most numbers among the Gamecock forwards in 2020. The Flemington, N.J., native has scored a returning-high eight game-winning goals in her career. She’s second among returning career leaders in goals (13), points (34) and is tied with Chang in assists (8).
As a defensive midfielder, Harris looks to build on the impressive start of her career. In two seasons at Carolina the Hazlet, N.J., native has made 43 starts and has been a part of 29 clean sheets, including a single-season program record 17 in 2019. Harris was named to the All-SEC Second Team and was a part of the 2019 SEC All-Tournament team. She has three multi-point performances, which leads all returning players in 2020.
After missing the entire 2018 season due to injury, Samantha Chang was worth the wait for Carolina in 2019. She was an All-SEC Freshman team member after scoring two goals and notching four assists. She made her impact known right out of the gate in 2019, assisting two goals in the Gamecocks’ comeback victory over No. 21 NC State.
As a senior Gareis aims to continue her momentum she had in 2019. The Naperville, Ill., native scored five goals and added three assists for a career-high 13 points last season. She scored the game-winning goal against No. 6 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament championship match, helping Carolina win its fifth SEC crown.
The South Carolina Athletics Department announced ticketing information for the approximately 675 seats available for the four 2020 fall home matches. Only fans who had purchased season tickets for the upcoming season will have the ability to purchase single-game tickets. Season tickets, including the tickets with scarf option, for the 2020 season will not be honored and will be refunded.
A fixed amount of student tickets will be available for each match. Students will receive additional information on instructions for receiving tickets to home matches from the Department of Student Life. If you have any questions about ticketing for soccer this fall, please reach out to the Gamecock Ticket Office at 803-777-4274.
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