Sept. 17, 2009

Lakeside Classic Game Notes

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of South Carolina men's soccer team (3-1-0) travels to compete in the Lakeside Classic, hosted by Northwestern University, in Evanston, Ill., this weekend. The Gamecocks will face No. 25 Northwestern (2-1-1) on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET and Northern Illinois (2-2-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Gametracker will be available via www.GamecocksOnline.com for both weekend matches.

Series Information
South Carolina owns a 1-0-0 upperhand in the all-time series with Northwestern. The previous meeting between the two schools came during the 2003 campaign at the College of Charleston Tournament. South Carolina won that contest 3-1. Sunday's match against Northern Illinois will be the first for the Gamecocks against the Huskies.

Berson Aims For 425th Career Victory
South Carolina head men's soccer coach Mark Berson enters weekend action with 424 career victories after the Gamecocks defeated George Mason last Sunday. If South Carolina defeats Northwestern on Friday, Berson will collect his 425th career victory (including one-year total from The Citadel).

Carolina Finishes Second At Annual Adidas Gamecock Classic
South Carolina fell 1-0 to eventual tournament winner Butler on Friday night, but rebounded with an excellent 1-0 victory over George Mason on Sunday to finish second in the adidas Gamecock Classic last weekend. Senior defender Tyler Ruthven was named the tournament's Defensive MVP, while sophomore midfielder Vance Benson and junior forward Blake Brettschneider were also named to the all-tournament squad.

Gamecock Offense Comes To Life In Win Over Patriots
The South Carolina offense found life in the win against George Mason, as the Gamecocks tallied a season-high 16 shots in the contest. The previous high for the year was 10 against Clemson on Sept. 4. Junior forward Sam Arthur led the squad with a season-high seven shots, while sophomore midfielder Vance Benson added two.

Ruthven Tallies Game Winner
Senior defender Tyler Ruthven helped secure a victory and a shutout for the Gamecocks in their victory over George Mason on Sunday. Ruthven scored the game winner on a deflection on a Sam Arthur free kick, while he also helped run the defense that collected its second shutout of the season. The goal was Ruthven's second of his Gamecock career.