No. 10 Gamecocks Fall to No. 3 Tar Heels In Tight Battle, 2-1

COLUMBIA, SC –  The 10th-ranked South Carolina women’s soccer team (5-1-1) fought against No. 3 North Carolina (5-0-2) Thursday night, falling in a tough battle 2-1. The loss was the first of the season for the Gamecocks.

The Tar Heels got on the board early on, with Avery Patterson finding the back left of the net in just the fifth minute of play. North Carolina then extended its lead by two in the 35th minute to round out the first half, after a goal from Tori Dellaperuta snuck its way in just past Gamecocks keeper Heather Hinz.

South Carolina came out of the half with a new fire ignited underneath them, putting pressure on the Tar Heels within the first few minutes back. Five minutes in (50′), Shae O’Rouke made a beautiful pass to the left side to find Cat Barry, and the senior sent it back to O’Rourke who found the center of the net left defenseless by UNC keeper Emmie Allen.

The Gamecocks would continue knocking on the door for the remainder of the game, but were unable to find the tying goal. South Carolina finished with eight shots to the Tar Heels’ 19, and Hinz tallied three saves.

The team will be back in action at home for Senior Day on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m. against Furman.