Gamecocks Host Elon in Second 2014 Men's Soccer Exhibition

Aug. 18, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina continues its preparation for the 2014 regular season with a 7 p.m. exhibition against Elon at Stone Stadium on Tuesday. Admission is free for all fans to the final home scrimmage before the season opener.

The Gamecocks played a wide variety of personnel and formations in its first outing against USC Upstate, a 2-1 setback. After a rest day on Sunday, the team had its next-to-last double-practice day on Monday to clarify roles and prepare for the Phoenix.

Senior defenders Mahamoudou Kaba and Braeden Troyer return as a part of nine starters back for the Gamecocks. Both made the preseason All-Conference USA squad, with Kaba taking the preseason Defensive Player of the Year nod. Also back is 80 percent of the goals scored for the squad that finished fourth in C-USA and downed eventual College Cup participant New Mexico during the year.

Elon returns six starters from last year’s team that went 15-5-3 and won the Southern Conference title in its final year in the league. Now in Colonial Athletic Association, the Phoenix had three members make the preseason squad, including senior forward Jason Waterman. It’s the first year for head coach Chris Little leading the squad after three years as an assistant from 2010-12.

South Carolina, in its 37th year under the only head coach in program history Mark Berson, has made 20 NCAA Tournaments. In 12 years of conference play, the squad has 2 league titles (1 Metro and 1 Conference USA) and 2 Conference USA Tournament titles.

For fans not able to make it to Stone Stadium, follow the match on or on our Twitter feed @GamecockMSoccer.