Momentum is building for South Carolina men\u2019s soccer. The Gamecocks went 10-5-2 season last year, and now they\u2019re looking to take the next step.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year we made big steps forward,\u201d said fifth year head coach Tony Annan. \u201cThe squad was good, and we had a double-digit win season, which we hadn\u2019t had in a long time. In the offseason the strategy was not only to retain the players that got us that ten-win season but then add to that squad with depth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hit the transfer portal hard. We feel like we have a stronger squad and a deeper squad. We feel like we\u2019re in a good place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast season showed us what we\u2019re capable of doing,\u201d said junior midfielder Mika Habel, who returns after only playing four matches last year due to injury but was selected as a captain to run the offseason training. \u201cWe had some injuries last year, including myself. Depth is important, and we have that this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Gamecocks were particularly tough at home last year with a 7-2-2 record at Stone Stadium and led the nation in attendance for third straight year. The Gamecocks return 15 players from last year and brought in 14 newcomers. Headlining the list of returnees are senior Ethan Ballek, who was a Second Team All-Region honoree after leading the Gamecocks with 23 points last year on nine goals and five assists, and junior midfielder Jonah Biggar, who tallied a goal and four assists. Both were selected in the third round of the 2025 MLS draft by Nashville SC and D.C. United, respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very surreal to get drafted,\u201d said Ballek, who is studying finance and is on pace to graduate in December before MLS training camps begin after the new year. \u201cIt has always been a dream of mine. School is very important to me. I\u2019m about one semester out, so I wanted to come back. I love playing for this team, and I\u2019m excited to finish out my degree. So, I\u2019ll do my best here before I go out there to Nashville. I have a lot of things I can work on with my game to prepare myself for that, so I\u2019m not looking too far ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving professional level talent in the program helps in certain ways and can also be a distraction,\u201d said Annan, who also noted that he liked the maturity of his players so there won\u2019t be those distractions. \u201cIt helps that we are now producing guys who can go on to the pro level. That brings more talent that wants to do the same. Hopefully, those guys lead by example.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sophomore Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez also returns after tallying four goals and five assists to earn Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.<\/p>\n
Annan will use his early exhibition matches to evaluate which combinations work the best together, but he is confident in the abilities of his latest recruiting class.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody we brought in this year from the portal or freshmen or international, I think all of them are capable playing,\u201d Annan said. \u201cFrom what we\u2019ve observed, everybody can participate for us, which would be the best thing for the squad. Playing 17 games in such a short period of time, it\u2019s tough for any player to place twice per week and give their maximum ability. Hopefully, everybody can participate and get minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as impact players, you can talk about (senior transfer forward) Tyler Trimnal who has won national championships with Clemson. Great experience, but nothing is guaranteed. He\u2019s willing to work. (Senior transfer) Alexander Stjernegaard, a midfielder from Marshall, has been to the Final Four and has a great pedigree. There are some big names with big talent, but at the end of the day they\u2019re going to have to adapt to a new system. It\u2019s up to them to earn their spots.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the depth will help us a lot,\u201d Ballek said. \u201cI know that I, as well as some other guys, had little nagging injuries last year, so I know if I had a little more time on the bench it would have helped me as we went deeper in the season. It\u2019s going to help a lot to have some new guys step in and make that impact so we can hopefully make a (NCAA) tournament run and win some more games. I really enjoy all the new guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Annan knows there isn\u2019t a lot of time to build chemistry, so they always have to move fast in August.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the toughest part to get them to gel as quickly as possible,\u201d Annan said. \u201cThere are lots of different personalities and guys that have had success at other programs. Hopefully with that experience and maturity, they can get together quickly because they understand what being together does for the team. In our recruitment, the character piece and the personality piece have been really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the 2025 season kicks off soon, the Gamecocks are excited about the potential to build on last year\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really care about this team, and the goal has always been to turn things around,\u201d said Habel. \u201cWe\u2019ve made steps. Last year was a breakthrough year. I believe in it. I would do anything for this team. If I can inspire others to do the same, then that will take us pretty far. I\u2019m extremely happy with what I\u2019ve seen so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just need to be consistent,\u201d Annan said. \u201cI\u2019m excited for this season. I think we have our most talented group since I\u2019ve been here. Going back-to-back with double digits (wins) is just one of our goals. We\u2019d like to do more than just do that.\u201d<\/p>\n