South Carolina: Gamecocks Picked Third In C-USA Preseason Coaches Poll
The University of South Carolina men's soccer team was picked to finish third in the league by the Conference USA coaches, while sophomore goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer and junior midfielder Jeff Scannella were each selected to the 11-man Preseason All-Conference Team, as announced by the organization on Monday.
Defending C-USA champion Tulsa has been selected as the preseason favorite to be the Conference USA Men's Soccer Champion in 2008. SMU was picked to finish second in the league, followed by Carolina, Kentucky fourth and Memphis fifth. Florida International junior forward Juan Guerra and Kentucky's Barry Rice, a junior defender, were named the Preseason C-USA Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.
Scannella, a two-time All-Conference USA honoree and the 2006 C-USA Freshman of the Year, enters his third season with the Gamecocks this fall. Scannella has been an offensive force during his two seasons in Columbia, leading the team in goals last year (seven) while he has amassed 10 goals and seven assists during his career. Scannella earned All-Conference USA First Team, NSCAA All-South Region Second-Team, TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week, TopDrawerSoccer.com Honorable Mention Team of the Year and Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week accolades last season.
Maurer, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, collected 11 wins during his rookie season in 2007, allowing just over one goal per game. He also recorded five shutouts and allowed just 21 goals. During the regular season, Maurer garnered adidas Gamecock Classic Defensive MVP and Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors. He also garnered All-Conference USA Second-Team honors, as well as being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. On the national stage, Maurer was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Freshman Team and the CollegeSoccerNews.com All-Freshman Third Team.
The top eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season earn a spot in the 2008 Conference USA Championship, hosted by SMU, on November 12-16 in Dallas, Texas. The league's 14th season kicks off Friday, August 29.
2008 C-USA MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON AWARDS
2008 C-USA PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Juan Guerra, Jr., F, Florida International
2008 C-USA PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Rice, Jr., D, Kentucky
2008 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE USA TEAM
Juan Guerra, Jr., F, Florida International
Barry Rice, Jr., D, Kentucky
Masumi Turnbull, Sr., MF, Kentucky
Michael Coburn, Sr., D, Memphis
Ryan Mirsky, Sr., D, SMU
Jimmy Maurer, So., GK, South Carolina
Jeff Scanella, Jr., MF, South Carolina
Chris Clements, Sr., D, Tulsa
Eric DeFreitas, Sr., MF, Tulsa
Jose Parada, Jr., F, Tulsa
Ryan Roushandel, Sr., F, UCF
