No. 17 Gamecocks to Round Out Home Schedule Over Georgia
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 17 South Carolina women’s soccer team (10-1-5, 4-0-4) hosts the Georgia Bulldogs (8-3-4, 4-2-2) Sunday, Oct. 22 in the home finale at Stone Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET and will be live on SEC Network+.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gamecocks secured a 1-0 road victory against Texas A&M this past Thursday in College Station. Carolina got to work early on the offensive end generating five shots and four corners in the first half. In the 42nd minute, junior midfielder Lily Render lofted a serve just outside the box to sophomore defender Gracie Falla who was able to find the back of the net putting the Gamecocks up 1-0. It marked the first goal of Falla’s career. Standout fifth-year keeper Heather Hinz made a season-high nine saves on the night and punched the 29th shutout of her career. She is now tied for third all-time in career shutouts with former Gamecock great Sabrina D’Angelo (’11-14).
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Sunday’s match will be the 35th meeting all-time between South Carolina and Georgia. UGA holds a 16-12-6 advantage in the series. Ten of the 34 total meetings have gone into extra time including seven into double overtime. The two teams last faced off in a thriller in Nov. of 2022 in the SEC Tournament semifinals with the Gamecocks winning a double overtime shootout 4-1 in PK’s. Senior forward Cat Barry scored the lone goal in regulation for Carolina and fifth-year defender Cam Dixon iced the game on a penalty kick sending the Gamecocks to the championship match against Alabama.
Georgia enters Sunday’s matchup after a 1-0, victory over No. 23 Kentucky this past Thursday in Athens. Redshirt freshman Summer Denigan found the back of the net in the 21st minute giving the Bulldogs the early 1-0 lead. Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Brown made a pair of saves on the night, posting her fourth shutout of the season. The Georgia backline allowed just three shots in the second half as they secured their first SEC East title in program history. Offensively Denigan leads UGA with five goals on the season. Redshirt senior Nicole Vernis leads the Bulldogs with 13 points (four goals and five assists). Brown leads Georgia between the posts tallying 41 saves in 15 games.
FAN INFO
Gamecock fans will be able to utilize free parking in the grass lot located behind the Athletics Village Parking Garage (1300 Heyward Street) or overflow parking located at the Roost (201 South Marion). Fans will also have the option to park at any of the City of Columbia metered spots located around Stone Stadium (subject to fees required through the ParkMobile app). The Athletics Village Parking Garage will not be available.
Fans are encouraged to keep up with in-game updates on Twitter and Instagram, @GamecockWSoccer.