USC moves into top three of United Soccer coaches poll

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) –USC women’s soccer moved into the top three of the United Soccer Coaches Poll.

The Gamecocks, who entered the fall ranked No. 4, climbed one spot to No. 3 after opening their 2017 campaign with back-to-back home wins.

Stanford (No. 1) and West Virginia (No. 2) occupy the top two spots in the poll, while North Carolina (No. 4) and Southern California (No. 5) round out the top five.

The Gamecocks spent five weeks ranked inside the top three during last season’s historic campaign and earned the program’s highest ranking ever after claiming the No. 2 position.

South Carolina kicked off its season last Friday (Aug. 18) with a 2-0 victory over UCF behind goals from sophomore striker Elexa Bahr and freshman Lauren Chang. Bahr found the back of the net again this past Sunday (Aug. 20) against Florida Gulf Coast, and a second-half penalty kick goal from senior attacker Savannah McCaskill pushed the Gamecocks past the Eagles 2-1.

Carolina returns to action on Thu., Aug. 24, when it faces Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C. Kickoff from Spry Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET.