Gamecocks to host Demon Deacons on Thursday in NCAA first round
Some games are just meant to be played.
On Sept. 21, the South Carolina men's soccer team was supposed to host Wake Forest, but the game was postponed, and eventually canceled, due to inclement weather.
On Monday, the Gamecocks learned they will get play the Demon Deacons after all.
USC will host Wake on Thursday at Stone Stadium in the first round of the NCAA College Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The winner will face No. 14 James Madison on Sunday in Harrisonburg, Va.
"Isn't that something?" said coach Mark Berson about the second chance. "That's just crazy. To have that game almost start like four or five times that night, and then not get it in, it's just a very strange thing that we finally get to play Wake Forest."
After clinching a share of the Conference USA regular season championship with a tie against Kentucky, the Gamecocks had an early exit in the C-USA Tournament as the No. 1 seed, losing 1-0 to SMU. That made for a few tense moments at the team's watch party, as the Gamecocks' entrance in the field was not announced until the final region of the bracket. Despite going out in the first round, Berson said he felt confident the Gamecocks would return to the NCAA Tournament, partly because of the challenging schedule they played.
"I think by this time our younger players have had a real feel for what the game is about at this level," Berson said. "I think the conference tournament also gave us an entirely different education because it's a one and done, and you play differently with that pressure on your shoulders."
Last season, USC was a 7-seed after winning the C-USA Tournament, getting a first-round bye before eventually falling at home to Michigan in the Sweet 16. With 19 of 29 players on the roster being either freshmen or sophomores, Berson knows that having players on his roster that played in the NCAA Tournament last season will be an asset.
"I think it's invaluable," Berson said. "The fact that we have guys that have experience at this level and in the tournament is a huge plus for us."
For senior Vance Benson, it'll be his first trip to the tournament despite having been on the team last season. Benson suffered a season-ending leg injury against Clemson that sidelined him for the Gamecocks' two tournament games.
"It's just about coming into it with a level head — approaching it like another game, but at the same time, recognizing that there's a sense of urgency," Benson said. "There's no ties here — someone's got to win the game. In a way you have to be level-headed, but at the same time, you have to have that urgency."
After a season in which USC went 2-4-1 before the conference schedule, the Gamecocks were able to come together at the right time, only losing one regular season conference game.
"In the beginning, it was a little bit of a struggle just because of the young players that we had and getting everyone on the same page," said senior Stephen Morrissey. "Once everything started clicking, we were able to get on a roll. It was about that time that we all knew that we would be good this year."
Berson had been confident that his team would put the pieces together, repeating that his young squad would be different in October than it was in September. Having to wait until the final bracket was announced to see South Carolina's name on the screen, Berson maintained that confidence.
"No anxiety, just anxious to know who we were going to play," Berson said. "We knew we were in the field. We didn't have any questions about that."