Top Ten South Carolina Soccer Stories of 2010: 3-1

In the last two days, we've reviewed the number 10 through number 4 soccer stories in South Carolina this year. Here are the top three to wrap up the year:

• 3: USL First and Second Divisions Merge into the USL Pro: In September it was announced that the United Soccer Leagues top division would become the USL Pro and the second would become the Premier Development League second highest division with the USL-2 dissolving. The USL Pro will play with teams from the First and Second Divisions starting in 2011. The new league will have 16 teams including up to 5 teams in the Caribbean, a team in California, and the rest in the eastern half of the United States.

• 2: Bolton Wanderers F.C. Comes to Charleston: On July 17 the English Premier League side, Bolton Wanderers F.C., came to Blackbaud Stadium to face the Charleston Battery. The final result was a 2-0 defeat of the Battery in front of a sellout crowd of of 5,249 at the 'Baud. Though it ended in a disappointing result for the Battery, it was great for the residents of Charleston to see a top English Premier League club play their hometown team in Blackbaud Stadium.

• 1: Charleston Battery Wins the USL-2 Title: To top off the countdown, we have the biggest accomplishment for the Charleston Battery this year. On August 28 the Battery faced the Richmond Kickers in the USL Second Division Championship. In the 26th minute a corner kick from Mike Zaher was knocked around in the box until USL-2 MVP, Lamar Neagle, put the ball in the back of the goal. The Battery then became short handed after Colin Falvey was sent off in the 29th minute. Charleston doubled the lead in the 52nd minute when Ian Fuller scorched a volley off a flick from Tom Heinemann. Richmond would cut the lead in half in the 70th minute Edson Elcock headed in a goal off a cross from Sascha Gorres. The Battery would hold on with great play from keeper, Tim Melia. For the first time since 2003, the Charleston Battery had won a league championship.

Well its been a great year for soccer in South Carolina. This blog was started just weeks ago, and expect more in 2011. Happy New Year soccer fans.

Top Ten South Carolina Soccer Stories of 2010: 10-7

Until the end of the year we're going to review the top soccer stories in South Carolina over the last year, and ranking them 1-10. Here's numbers 10-7:

• 10: Clemson Tops #18 Duke- On October 21st, the Clemson Men's Soccer team, which has been dwelling at the bottom of the ACC for the past couple of years, defeated the 18th ranked Duke Blue Devils in overtime. Clemson junior, Riley Sumpter scored a goal with 3:46 in the first overtime to lift the Tigers to a win. This was the biggest highlight of the year for the struggling tigers whose final record was 5 wins, 9 losses, and 4 draws.
• 9: CESA Sweeps South Carolina Challenge Cup- The Carolina Elite Soccer Academy won the South Carolina Challenge Cup, essentially the State Championship for youth soccer in South Carolina, in every age group. Bruce Murray, former United States Men's National Team player, led the U17 and U18 teams to victory.
• 8: College of Charleston Gains an At Large Bid to the NCAA Tournament- Though the College of Charleston Men's Soccer Team did not win the Southern Conference tournament, the Cougars did advance to the NCAA Tournament with an at large bid. They defeated East Tennessee State 3-2 in the first round and then lost to eventual championship runners-up, Louisville 3-1 in the second round of the tournament.

• 7:South Carolina Wins the Conference USA- The University of South Carolina's Men's Soccer Team won the Conference USA tournament this year and advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament, and were knocked out Michigan. The Gamecocks gained a bye for the first round of the tournament and defeated Duke 1-0 in the second round. South Carolina was defeated by the Wolverines 3-1. Michigan would go on to advance to the Final Four of the tournament.