Oct. 29, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team (8-10-2, 2-7-2 SEC) was defeated 2-1 in double overtime by Florida in the regular season finale at Stone Stadium. KeLeigh Hudson’s goal at 104:23 gave the Gators the win on Friday evening. Florida improves to 13-3-3 and 7-2-2 in the SEC while the loss ends Carolina’s season at 8-10-2 and 2-7-2 in the SEC.
“This game that we played tonight was somewhat of an example of how our season went this year,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We played our hearts out and deserved to win, unfortunately Florida was able to come up with the goal to win. It was an intense match and I thought we controlled most of the play tonight.”
South Carolina outshot the Gators 6-3 in the first half of play but it was the Gators’ first shot that went in that put Florida on top 1-0 at 36:14 into the match. A cross from the far side into the box by Ashley Kellgren found Stephanie Freeman open who knocked a shot high and out of the reach of USC goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson to give the Gators a one-goal cushion.
Carolina continued to fight back though and regained the momentum early into the second half with a goal by freshman Courtney Cobbs in the 49th minute. Amanda Thurber’s diagonal ball found a driving Cobbs down the right flank, who beat the Florida defender and launched a shot to the corner of the goal and past Gator goalkeeper Jen Gardner to even the match at one apiece. USC would finish regulation with a 13-8 shot advantage.
“Courtney came forward on the play very well and had an excellent finish on her shot,” said Coach Smith. “For a young player in her first year she has really learned and we hope she continues to take what she has learned and use it on the field in her next few years.”
Both teams played a spirited overtime that went back and forth until Hudson’s goal in the 105th minute of play. A through ball by Cherry Pickman found Hudson open inside the box, who finished her chance to give Florida the 2-1 win.
South Carolina ended the match leading in shots 15-13 and also held an advantage in corner kicks 9-3. Thorstenson had three saves for USC while Gardner finishes with six for Florida.
“It’s disheartening and we know we have to do a better job of executing and not have lapses during certain points in a match,” said Coach Smith. “I’m proud of our effort tonigh though, our team battled.”
