March 6, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” South Carolina women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith announced the addition of forward Meaghan Carrigan for the 2017 season Monday afternoon. Carrigan joins the Gamecocks after spending the last three seasons at the University of Richmond.

“We are excited to welcome Meaghan to our program,” Smith said. “She has proven herself as an excellent college soccer player. She will bring valuable experience and leadership to our very young team as well as being a strong addition to our attack.”

The Greenville, S.C., native enjoyed a productive three-year stretch with the Spiders, totaling 63 points on 27 goals and nine assists. She was tabbed the 2014 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after tallying 14 goals and five assists in her freshman season. Carrigan also earned Atlantic 10 First-Team honors in her first year at Richmond, and she captained the team in 2015 and 2016.

Prior to her time at Richmond, Carrigan competed for the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). She earned MVP honors after guiding CESA to the 2012 U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championship, and the striker also served as a captain throughout her time with the club. Carrigan played for years at Christ Church Episcopal School, where she holds the program single-season records for goals (58) and assists (31). Her 169 career goals at her high school also rank first.

Carrigan is set to join a Gamecock attack that helped Carolina net the most goals (51) in program history in 2016. The Gamecocks captured the SEC Regular-Season Title this past fall and reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in three years. Carolina’s No. 5 ranking in the final NSCAA Poll marked its highest finish ever.