Denzel Clarke Named to TopDrawerSoccer's Preseason Best XI Third Team
August 04, 2014 | Men's Soccer
LONG BEACH, Calif. --- Gardner-Webb senior forward Denzel Clarke (Atlanta, Ga.) has been named to TopDrawerSoccer's men's college soccer preseason Best XI Third Team, announced TDS officials Monday.
Clarke is the lone representative from the Big South Conference to earn a spot on TopDrawerSoccer's annual preseason watch list after leading the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 9-8-1 overall record last season and a 6-4 mark in league play in 2013. He provided a record-setting finishing touch throughout the season, concluding the regular season as the national leader in both total goals (16) and goals per match (0.89).
The Atlanta native found the scoresheet in 12 of his 18 appearances last season, scoring at least one goal during a torrid six-match streak that included a pair of hat tricks against Presbyterian and UNC Asheville. Clarke netted a trio of match-winners during the term as well, including a late equalizer and the extra-time winner in a thrilling comeback win over Wofford to open the season.
Clarke and the Runnin' Bulldogs open their 2014 slate on Friday, August 15 with a preseason exhibition at North Carolina at 7 p.m. Gardner-Webb will kick off the regular season on Friday, August 29 against Georgia Southern at 7:30 p.m. on Greene-Harbison Field.
To see the full list of preseason honorees from TDS, click here.
