2023 Campaign Comes to a Close in Stanford
STANFORD, CA – The South Carolina women’s soccer team finished out its 2023 campaign in Stanford Friday night, falling to the No. 3 Cardinal 3-0 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Gamecocks finished the year 12-3-6.
Stanford got on the board 17 minutes into the first half, with Andrea Kitahata finding an inch worth of space in a scuffle in front of the net. Fifth-year keeper Heather Hinz was quick to respond to another offensive attack from the Cardinal just a few minutes later, making an epic one-handed leaping save to get the ball over the crossbar. Hinz would make two more saves in the first half, bringing her total to four within the first 45 minutes of play.
The Gamecocks started out the second half with more chances, but South Carolina was unable to connect, and Stanford put up two more goals in the 62nd and 66th minute to stretch their lead to three.
South Carolina finished with three shots on the night, and Hinz tied her season-high of nine saves.
2023 Season Highlights:
- Finished 2nd overall in the SEC Standings
- Ranked nationally in top-25 all season, reaching as high as 7th
- Reached the SEC Tournament for the 17th straight season
- Went undefeated in the SEC regular season
- Finished No. 1 in overall and average attendance in the NCAA
- Made 11th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament
- Advanced through the first round for the eighth straight year
SEC Honors awarded:
- All-SEC First Team Forward, Senior Captain: Cat Barry
- All-SEC First Team Defender and SEC Defender of the Year: Sophomore Gracie Falla
- All-SEC First Team Goalkeeper and SEC Goalkeeper of the Year: 5th-year senior Heather Hinz
- All-SEC Freshman team: Reagan Schubach
