Two Gamecocks On Preseason All-Conference USA Team
COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — The South Carolina men’s soccer team landed two student-athletes on the 2016 Preseason All-Conference USA Men’s Soccer Team, the league announced today. Senior midfielders Danny Deakin and Koty Millard garnered recognition, as the Gamecocks were one of four teams with multiple selections.
Deakin led the Gamecocks and ranked fourth in C-USA last season with four goals in league play, en route to First-Team All-C-USA accolades. The Sheffield, England, native’s 24 points last season ranks second in the conference among returnees. Millard finished last season tied for the team lead in assists with five, earning Second Team All-C-USA honors.
“For Koty (Millard) and Danny (Deakin) to be recognized by the Conference USA coaches and selected to the preseason All Conference USA team is great,” head coach Mark Berson said. “I’m pleased for both of them and excited for them and the rest of our guys as we prepare for the coming season.”
Deakin and Millard also gained NSCAA All-Southeast Region honors last season, while Deakin enters 2016 on the Hermann Trophy Watch List.
South Carolina, which earned a No. 24 preseason ranking according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, was slotted in a tie for fourth with New Mexico in the coaches’ preseason predictions for Conference USA. Kentucky was selected as the league favorite, while Charlotte and FIU ranked second and third, respectively. South Carolina topped FIU and New Mexico at Stone Stadium last fall.
The Gamecocks begin training for the 2016 season next Wednesday, Aug. 10, with their first exhibition match coming at home on Thurs., Aug. 18 against Winthrop. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium in Columbia. Season tickets are available for purchase online at GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets or by calling 800-472-3267. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under, and purchasers will receive a Gamecock Soccer vuvuzela along with their season pass to all 21 men’s and women’s home matches.
2016 C-USA Preseason Poll
(as selected by C-USA coaches)
1. Kentucky
- Charlotte
- FIU
- New Mexico (tie)
South Carolina (tie)
- Old Dominion
- UAB
- Marshall
- Florida Atlantic
2016 Preseason All-Conference USA Team
Brandt Bronico, MF, Charlotte
Luis Betancur, F, FIU
Marvin Hezel, D, FIU
Napo Matsoso, MF, Kentucky
Stefan Stojkovic, F, Kentucky
Jordan Wilson, D, Kentucky
Niko Hansen, F, New Mexico
Chris Wehan, MF, New Mexico
Alex Tiesenhausen, GK, Old Dominion
Danny Deakin, MF, South Carolina
Koty Millard, D, South Carolina
2016 C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Napo Matsoso, Kentucky, Sr., MF
2016 C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Marvin Hezel, FIU, Sr., D
