Chanticleer Backline Honored by Top Drawer Soccer
10/22/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2012
CONWAY - Coastal Carolina men's soccer backline mates Henrik Robstad, Jhamie Hyde, Uchenna Uzo and Shawn McLaws have been named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week, the publication announced on Monday. In addition, Uzo was singled out by College Soccer News as a member of its weekly National Team.
The quartet joins forwards Ashton Bennett and Ricky Garbanzo as Chanticleers to be honored as members of Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of the Week this season.
Thanks to the hard work of the backline and the entire team, the Chanticleers posted back-to-back shutout wins over Winthrop and Gardner-Webb last week. Coastal now ranks ninth, the team's highest ranking this season, in the latest Top Drawer Soccer poll.
Robstad, Hyde, Uzo and McLaws combined to help post the team's third consecutive shutout and ninth of the season. The nine clean sheets tie the 1984 and 2004 teams for the sixth most in a single season on the CCU all-time list. The Chants have a current streak of 320:58 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
Even more impressive is the number of shots, or lack thereof, the foursome has allowed opponents to attempt. In 180 minutes of play, Winthrop and Gardner-Webb combined for 15 shots last week with only five falling on goal. Through eight Big South Conference games the Chants have only allowed 54 shots (18 on goal) while launching 161 shots (83 on goal) of their own.
Uzo not only shut down every opposing attacker that came his way last week, he also scored Coastal's only goal against Winthrop. The Lagos, Nigeria, native headed home a Justin Portillo corner kick in the 60th-minute to claim his third goal of the season and second game-winner. The sophomore also attempted a shot that clanked off a post against Gardner-Webb.
Sophomores Robstad and McLaws not only defend extremely well, they also play a pivotal role in the Chants' high-powered attack. Robstad has assisted on four goals this season by way of excellent crosses and has netted a counter of his own. McLaws has a trio of assists to his credit and routinely rips shots of his own, recording 13 on the year.
Coastal Carolina steps out of conference play on Wednesday, Oct. 24 for a 7 p.m. kickoff at in-state rival South Carolina. The Chanticleers are 4-2-1 all-time against the Gamecocks on the pitch, including 2-1-0 in the NCAA Tournament. Coastal defeated South Carolina 3-2 in the sides' last meeting at the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic on Nov. 5, 2004.
Chanticleer fans can hear the voice of Chanticleer soccer Ryan Borawski describe all the action from the Gamecocks' Stone Stadium throughout the Grand Strand as the game will be carried on Fox Sports Radio 1050 AM and 101.9 FOX FM. Fans around the world can listen live online HERE. Pre-match coverage will start at 6:50 p.m.
