Taylor Leach

Classroom

Leach is a standout in the classroom, maintaining a 3.776 GPA in exercise science. She has been named to the President’s List (4.0 GPA) four times and the Dean’s List (3.5 GPA or higher) four times, along with making eight appearances on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Leach, who hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy, also frequents the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Character

Leach arrived at South Carolina as an under the radar recruit and has worked tirelessly to shape herself into an All-SEC caliber player. After suffering an ACL tear before her freshman season, Leach rehabbed and trained to come back stronger. Known as an exceptionally hard worker, Leach puts in a tremendous amount of time off the field, particularly in the weight room. She returned to the field to make her South Carolina debut in 2011 as a substitute and became a full time starter in 2012. A team captain in 2013, Leach is one of the most vocal and respected leaders on the team.

Community

Leach led her team in community service as they logged over 1,300 hours last season to be earn the distinction of the university’s Community Outreach Team of the Year. Over the course of her career, she has totaled 335 hours of community service, with the bulk coming during the 2013-14 season. Planning to pursue a career in physical therapy, Leach has put in nearly 230 hours in at the local Lexington Medical Center and another physical therapy clinic in just the last year. She does not limit herself to that though, also participating in events such as Boy Scouts Day, elementary school visits, the Gamecock Donation Station, Light the Night Walk and the school’s Dance Marathon in addition to the program’s camps and clinics.

Competition

After beginning her career as a substitute on the 2011 SEC regular-season championship squad, Leach quickly worked her way into a starting position to start her second season in the Garnet and Black. Last season, the center back helped anchor the SEC’s top defense that boasted a 0.59 goals against average (15th nationally) and a .522 shutout percentage (25th nationally). The Gamecocks posted the second-most shutouts in program history (12) and went undefeated at home (11-0-0) for the first time in school history.  Her performance led to All-SEC First Team honors and NSCAA All-Region Second Team recognition.