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When examined, the other sports aren’t really competing against football they’re battling a generally apathetic culture in Columbia.

By Sean Rayford

The South Carolina men’s soccer team ushered in the season slaying the smelly orange monster and in-state rival Clemson and continued next with a solid win against Presbyterian College.

They then traveled to hostile land in the northeast, and returned from the UConn Adidas Classic with two losses in their shopping cart. But if history can tell us anything there’s still plenty of excitement to come this season for Gamecock soccer.

Both men’s and women’s. In a late season November match at Stone Stadium in 1998 South Carolina faced off against UNC. Both teams were ranked in the top 25 and USC had already knocked off defending national champion UCLA earlier in the season.

Late in the game against UNC, USC’s Nathan Watkins tickled the back of the net with an acrobatic bicycle kick to beat the Heels 2-1. I was sold on Gamecock soccer. USC would eventually fall in the post-season but final polls had the team in the country’s top ten.

The very same year South Carolina football mustered up a tremendous 1-10 record while still each game. You can bet that over the entire season the remaining fall athletic programs at the University of South Carolina can’t draw what football can in one game.

The other “fall” sports at the University seem to have a tough time competing for a fan base against the monstrous Williams Brice Stadium. Stone Stadium, also known as the Graveyard, once pulled in over 6,000 for a men’s match against Clemson.

But when examined, the other sports aren’t really competing against football they’re battling a generally apathetic culture in Columbia.

In comparison, the University of Connecticut averaged over 3,000 in attendance last year where Carolina fell to UConn 4-0 during the recent tournament. Don’t get the wrong idea, though; crowds at The Graveyard are regularly solid, supported by a core group of fans (especially the hecklers on the opposing sideline) who make Carolina soccer a fun place to be.

It’s just strange that the crowds don’t always reflect the teams’ successes. opposite level. Maybe we’ll just blame it on the likes of Bud Light, JIm Beam, khaki shorts, Pele and David Beckham.

Whatever the case like in men’s soccer the other non-(American)-football sports tend to be overlooked despite regular success on a national level. The women’s soccer team blew open the season with a shocking upset of No. 1 ranked UNC and propelled themselves to a national ranking of 13 in the Soccer America poll after their best start in history with a record of 4-0.

Over the weekend Carolina volleyball captured the Nike Gamecock Invitational title with impressive wins over Appalachian State, Troy and Rice. The team opens SECplay on Friday Sept. 14.

Keep an eye out when Florida rolls into town on Halloween. For all you horse lovers, don’t miss when Carolina starts to defend their national title in Equestrian against TCU in Blythewood on Sept. 22. Check out http://www.uscsports.com for complete soccer, volleyball, golf and equestrian schedules and results.