Gamecocks and Nittany Lions Set to Face Off in Sweet Sixteen

LOS ANGELES – The South Carolina women’s soccer team will make its sixth Sweet Sixteen appearance in program history Sunday, November 21, when the Gamecocks take on Penn State a noon PT/ 3 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight and meet the winner of BYU and Virginia. 
 
Gameday Information – NCAA Tournament
When: November 21 | 3 p.m. ET
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Venue: Soni McAlister Field (1,000)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Live Video: Pac-12.com; Christian Miles (pxp)
Series History: First Meeting
 
RV South Carolina Gamecocks 13-6-1
Last Game: W, 3-0 vs. Hofstra (Nov. 19)
Coach: Shelley Smith | 21st Season
Goals Leader: Catherine Barry | 8
Assists Leader:  Lauren Chang | 10
Points Leader: Catherine Barry | 19
Shots Leader: Catherine Barry | 39
Saves Leader: Heather Hinz | 50
 
RV Penn State Nittany Lions 12-7-1
Last Game: T, 2-2  (5-3 PK) at Southern Cal (Nov. 19)
Coach: Erica Dambach| 15th Season
Goals Leader: Ally Schlegel | 10
Assists Leader: Sam Coffey | 8
Points Leader: Sam Coffey and Ally Schlegel | 45
Shots Leader: Ally Schlegel | 50
Saves Leader: Katherine Asman | 76
 
QUICK NOTES: SC vs Penn State

• The two sides have met only once, coming back on Nov. 16, 2018 in a round of 32 match in Morgantown, W.Va.
  • Five Gamecocks who played in that match are still with the program: Lauren Chang, Jyllissa Harris, Sutton Jones, Sarah Eskew, and Luciana Zullo.
• The two sides have played two mutual opponents this season, with both teams defeating NC State and Hofstra.
  • The Gamecocks won those matches 2-1 and 3-0, while the Nittany Lions won 1-0 and 2-1.
     

2021 Season Notables

• This is South Carolina’s sixth Sweet Sixteen appearance in program history. It’s the second time in the last three seasons; the fourth time in the last six; and the fifth time in the last eight
• This is the sixth consecutive season the Gamecocks have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, dating back to 2016. They’ve advanced to the second round 11 of the last 12 seasons.
• The Gamecocks have made nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. They’re made the tournament 14 of the last 15 years. This will be their 15th appearance in program history.
• Lauren Chang rank 24th in the nation with 10 assists on the season. Ryan Gareis is 59th with eight assists.
• The Gamecocks leads the SEC in fewest fouls per game and rank 37th nationally.
• Against Ole Miss, Lauren Chang became the program’s leader in career matches played with 96. She currently ranked 6th among all active NCAA women’s soccer players with 104. She is currently 12th all-time in NCAA history.
• A program record seven players were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District team; Catherine Barry, Samantha Chang, Lauren Chang, Sarah Eskew, Ryan Gareis, Jyllissa Harris, and Heather Hinz.
• Jyllissa Harris was named to the All-SEC First Team. She is the 8th player in program history to earn multiple first team honors.
• Claire Griffiths was named to the SEC Community service team.
• Payton Patrick was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Oct. 25.
• Catherine Barry scored 1:02 into the match against Alabama on Oct. 24, the fifth fastest goal in program history.
• Ryan Gareis was named the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4.
• Jyllissa Harris was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27.
• The Gamecocks have used a deep bench this season. At least 20 players earned minutes in the first seven matches of the season. The have used at least 20 players in 11 of the 20 games this season.
• Earlier this season against Charlotte, Luciana Zullo scored her first goal of the season 46 seconds into the match. That’s tied for the second fastest goal in program history.
• South Carolina was picked by the league’s coaches to finish third in the 2021 SEC regular season. The Gamecocks have not finished a season lower than third in the SEC since 2015.
• Five Gamecocks were named to the SEC Soccer Preseason Watch List – Catherine Barry, Lauren Chang, Samantha Chang, Ryan Gareis, and Jyllissa Harris.
• Head coach Shelley Smith returns 21 of last season’s 26 letterwinners, including the team’s top three goal scorers and four fifth-year seniors who chose to return for their bonus year of eligibility.
• South Carolina added six freshmen to the collection of returning letterwinners.

 
All-Time Results vs. Penn State
 

 
Overall: 0-1
Conf: 0-0
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 0-1
 
For women’s soccer updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockWSoccer, Facebook /GamecockWSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockWSoccer.