Dec. 8, 2005
Three South Carolina soccer players were selected to the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region first team, the organization announced Thursday. Senior defender Greg Reece (Clemmons, N.C.) and junior midfielder Mike Sambursky (Katy, Texas) garnered first-team honors while senior forward Josh Alcala (Buda, Texas) was named to the third team. The trio led South Carolina to the 2005 Conference USA Tournament Championship, a 12-7-2 record and the school's 18th trip to the NCAA Tournament this season.
The 2005 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Reece was a three-year starter and two-year team captain for South Carolina. During his senior season, Reece was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26) and selected to the Soccer America (Sept. 29) and Top Drawer Soccer (Sept. 26) National Teams of the Week. He also earned all-tournament honors at the North Carolina Nike Soccer Classic and the adidas-South Carolina Gamecock Classic. Reece was also a member of the all-Conference USA first team.
Sambursky led the Gamecocks in scoring with 24 points on a team-high eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists this season. He was a first-team all-Conference USA selection, and earned C-USA Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 7) honors as well. Sambursky is a two-year starter for the Carolina. He has scored 40 career points (13 goals, 14 assists) heading into his senior season.
Alcala led Conference USA in scoring during league play with 18 points on six goals and six assists. A first-team all-Conference USA pick, Alcala finished his senior season with 23 points on seven goals and a team-best nine assists. He also earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors (Oct. 31) and Soccer America National Team of the Week honors (Nov. 2). Alcala wrapped his Gamecock career with 37 points on 12 goals and 13 assists.
During the soccer program's 28 seasons, 57 Gamecock players have been selected to the All-South Region team under head coach Mark Berson. In every season since 1983, at least one Gamecock player has appeared on the team. A total of 29 schools comprise the South Region, which is arguably the toughest region in the country. There are 38 student-athletes representing 19 schools on this year's team. USC's pair of first-team selections is tied for most of any school. All three players are eligible for All-America consideration.
2005 NSCAA All-South Region Team
First TeamGK Phil Marfuggi Jr Clemson Manalapan NJB John Latting** Sr Davidson Birmingham ALB Greg Reece Sr South Carolina Clemmons NCB Nathan Sturgis So Clemson St. Augustine FLM Blake Camp* Sr Duke Danielsville GAM Scott Jones* Jr UNC-G Dallas TXM Dax McCarty So North Carolina Winter Park FLM Mike Sambursky Jr South Carolina Katy TXF Willy Guadarama So Campbell Cedar Park TXF Aaron King** Sr NC State Denver COF Justin Moose*** Sr Wake Forest Statesville NCF Randi Patterson* Jr UNC-G Hackensack NJ
Second TeamGK Anders Grandstad* Sr FAU Oslo NorwayB Michael Harrington Jr North Carolina Greenville NCB Patrick Phelan So Wake Forest Enfield CTB J.P. Rodrigues* Jr Belmont Lutz FLB Andre Sherard So North Carolina Greenville NCM Dominic Cianciarulo So Furman Deland FLM Rodrigo Hildago So South Florida West Palm Beach FLM Sonny Guadarama Fr Campbell Cedar Park TXM Ryan Solle Jr Wake Forest Broadway NCF Jeremy Gold Jr Charleston Euless TXF Adam Ruud* Sr UNC-C Hanover Park ILF Carron Williams* Sr FIU Santa Cruz TobagoF Kiki Willis Fr Elon Youngstown OH
Third TeamGK Taylor Saxe Jr Elon Charlotte NCB Jon Leathers So Furman Augusta GAB Mohammed Said Sr Alabama A&M EthiopiaB Devon Sheppard Jr Campbell Roxborough TobagoB Keion Yearwood Sr Charleston New Grange TobagoM Scott Campbell Fr North Carolina Fort Lauderdale FLM Jason McLaughlin Sr UAB Wetumpka ALM Lucas Scudeler* Sr FIU Sao Paolo BrazilM Michael Videira* So Duke Milford MAF Josh Alcala Sr South Carolina Buda TXF Tommy Krisanovic* Jr Jacksonville Jacksonville FLF Del Olayoe Sr Mercer Stafford EnglandF Jordan Seabrook Fr South Florida Indianapolis IN
* Previous Selections