Sept. 2, 2007
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The South Carolina women’s soccer team’s home opener is set for Monday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. against East Tennessee State. The first 100 fans will receive a South Carolina key chain, and all youth under 18 will be admitted free with a paying adult. Live Gametracker will be available at GamecocksOnline.com.
COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH Shelley Smith
On facing ETSU
“We know some of their individual players. What we’re focusing on is making sure we come out and do our jobs and make adjustments as needed. We’re focusing on still building on some things we did well yesterday and what we didn’t do as well, and take that into tomorrow’s game to defend our home field.”
On Sunday’s practice
“It was good. Everyone is obviously feeling good and enjoying being out there. Especially when you have a win, you just continue to enjoy it until the next game. They have confidence going into tomorrow. They know, though, that they have to come in with the same intensity and the same drive. Every game is important and you don’t want to take away from such a great accomplishment by going into tomorrow night and not showing up as a team. They understand the importance of every game this year. I have confidence in them that they will take care of business against whomever we will play.”
ON THE HORIZON
South Carolina hits the road again this weekend to participate in the UCF Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Carolina will play UC Davis in Friday’s opener at 5 p.m. and conclude with a matchup against UNLV Sunday at 11 a.m.
SCOUTING EAST TENNESSEE STATE
East Tennessee comes to Columbia after recording a 1-1 tie Friday against Middle Tennessee State. Sophomore Jordan Monty scored for the Buccaneers in the opening minutes of the second half, but MTSU evened the score just before the end of regulation. Monty registered six shots while goalkeeper Erin Bilyeu recorded seven saves. The Buccaneer’s, who went 5-10-4 last season, start four freshman.
SOUTH CAROLINA IN HOME OPENERS
South Carolina enters 2007 with an all-time record of 8-3-1 in home openers. Three games have gone to overtime – Vanderbilt (1996), Wake Forest (1998) and NC State (2000). Under Coach Smith, the Gamecocks have gone 5-1 in home openers. Carolina has outscored opponents 33-15, including posting five shutouts.
APPROACHING 100
With the victory against North Carolina, South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith increased her overall coaching record to 98-84-17, standing just two wins shy of the 100-win plateau. She currently leads the all-time USC coaching list with 57 victories at the helm of the Carolina program.
HOME UNBEATEN STREAK
The Gamecocks carry an 11 match unbeaten streak at Stone Stadium heading into the 2007 season. South Carolina went 8-0-3 in Columbia last season, the first time that the Gamecocks went an entire season without a loss at Stone Stadium. The streak includes dates with nationally ranked Tennessee and Florida.
SULLIVAN SCORES
Senior Erin Sullivan got Carolina’s year started on the right foot – or rather the right “head” – as her header 15:20 into the season opener against #1 North Carolina proved to be the game-winner. The score was the fifth of her career – and the second game-winner – after notting one goal in 2005 and recording a hat-tick in a 4-0 win over The Citadel last season.
THORSTENSON RISES UP THE RECORD BOOKS
With the shutout against North Carolina, senior goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson has seven shutouts in her career, placing her in fourth place on the all-time goaltending leaders chart. Elise Matthews (2000-03) holds the Carolina record with 15 shutouts, followed by Carrie Warner (1998-99) with nine and current Gamecock Laura Armstrong (2004-present) with eight.
RANKED SHUTOUTS
Carolina’s shutout of North Carolina was the sixth shutout against a ranked team in school history and the first against a team ranked in the top five. The Gamecocks achieved the feat twice in 2006, preventing #13 Auburn (W, 1-0) and #16 Tennessee (T, 0-0) from scoring. In five previous games against teams ranked in the top five, the Gamecocks had given up 27 goals, including nine to the Tar Heels in 2000.
