Team Effort Powers No. 16 Gamecocks Past Pirates
GREENVILLE, N.C. – It was a total team effort for the 16th ranked South Carolina women’s soccer team as they went on the road to defeat East Carolina 3-1 Thursday night (Aug. 26). The victory improves the Gamecocks to 2-0 on the season.
Five different Gamecocks recorded a point in the victory. In all, 10 different players recorded a shot on the night, while 22 players saw time on the pitch.
“I was pleased to see some players step up tonight in different roles,” head coach Shelley Smith said. “Overall, the team made some great adjustments in their play as we came out of halftime and that was the difference in the game. ECU is a very good team, and we are happy to have found a way to get another win on the road.”
The Gamecocks pressured the Pirates early, putting four shots on target in the first 24 minutes. South Carolina broke through in the 33rd minute when Corinna Zullo went wide right and chipping a shot over the ECU keeper’s head to the far post. It was Zullo’s first goal of the season.
South Carolina’s defense held the Pirates to two shots in the first half, neither of which were on target, as the Gamecocks led 1-0 at halftime.
It didn’t take long for South Carolina to go on the attack as Lauren Chang put a shot on goal 15 seconds into the second half. In the 55th minute it was Chang again, directing a corner kick into the box where Jyllissa Harris headed home her second goal of the season.
In the 70th minute, freshman Payton Patrick fed Eveleen Hahn a touch pass in the box, where Hahn threaded the ball past several ECU defenders, beating the keeper on the far side. The goal was Hahn’s first of the season, and it was the first collegiate point for Patrick. ECU’s lone goal of the game came in the 84th minute to give the final margin of victory.
In goal, Heather Hinz recorded two saves in 75+ minutes of work. Taylor Fox came on for the final 14+ and also recording two saves.
On the night, the Gamecocks out-shot the Pirates 16-11, including a 12-5 margin on target. It was the most shots on goals for South Carolina since recording 14 against Coastal Carolina on March 21.
The Gamecocks return to action Sunday, August 29 for a 1 p.m. kickoff at NC State. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
For the latest on women’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockWSoccer, Facebook /GamecockWSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockWSoccer.
