Oct. 17, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Michelle Bruntlett’s second half-goal lifted Vanderbilt to a 1-0 win over the South Carolina women’s soccer team on Friday night at Stone Stadium. The win improves Vanderbilt to 6-5-2 and 2-3-1 in the SEC on the year while the loss drops South Carolina to 8-6-2 and 1-3-1 in the SEC. Carolina closes out the home schedule for the 2003 season on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. vs. Kentucky on Senior Day.
After a scoreless first half, the Commodores struck early in the second period with the lone goal of the match. Off a feed from Erin Higgins, Buntlett knocked a shot from the top of the “18” that went off the crossbar and off the hands of Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews for a goal. The goal for Bruntlett was her third of the year and came at 58:44. USC came close to tying the match, including two chances with under five minutes remaining. An Erica Bowie corner kick found Ashley Williams, whose header was saved by Esther Thompson with three minutes remaining. In the last 10 seconds, Carolina broke into the box with Williams feeding a cross to an open M.A. Foster, near the far post with the ball just missing the foot of Foster.
Both Matthews and Thompson had three saves on the night in goal for the Gamecocks. Vanderbilt finished the night with a 12-11 shot advantage.
South Carolina senior player will be honored and recognized before start of Sunday’s match vs. Kentucky. Erica Bowie, Becca Epstein, Melissa Hutson, Alison Jarrow and Elise Matthews will each play their final regular season home match at Stone Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The match will be broadcast live at USCSPORTS.COM.
