Ben Alexander Named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week

NEW ORLEANS – South Carolina goalkeeper Ben Alexander has been named the Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference Tuesday (Sept. 19).

Alexander led the Gamecocks to a win in its Sun Belt opener over No. 24 Kentucky 1-0 Friday night. The victory was Carolina’s first over the Wildcats since 2016 and its first in Lexington since 2012. It was also the first ranked win for the Gamecocks since 2019. Alexander earns South Carolina’s first Sun Belt Player of the Week award and the first Defensive Player of the Week award by a Gamecock since William Pyle on Nov. 6, 2017.

In the win, Alexander finished with four saves, none bigger than the one he had in the second minute. Kentucky was awarded a penalty kick, but Alexander defended the line and denied the Wildcats the opportunity by making a diving save. He earned two saves in each half, with one coming in the final seven minutes of the match to secure the shutout. It was his second shutout of the season.

South Carolina continues conference play when it hosts Georgia State Friday night (Sept. 22) at 7 p.m. In a ceremony prior to the match former Gamecock Charlie Arndt will have his jersey retired.

For the latest on men’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockMSoccer, Facebook /GamecockMSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockMSoccer.