Collins Hands No. 20 Kentucky First Loss of the Season

COLUMBIA, SC – A penalty kick in the 75th minute converted by Katie Shea Collins led to a 1-0 South Carolina women’s soccer (5-0-4, 2-0-0) victory as they faced off against the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (8-1-1, 0-1-1). The loss was the first for the Wildcats this season.

• The game got off to an end-to-end start with both teams looking to play their strikers in behind, keeping defense on their toes. Only one shot was produced by the Gamecocks and two from the Wildcats. The second called for an acrobatic save from Tina Tsaousis to keep the Gamecocks level in the first fifteen. 
• A set-piece play in the 22nd minute caused a scare for the Gamecocks as the delivery from the Wildcats narrowly missed the far post. The Wildcats continued the pressure as they were able to outshoot the Gamecocks five to two in the first 30 minutes.
• A counterattack led by Katie Shea Collins in the 31st was able to produce a shot with no outcome as the Wildcats’ defense blocked it. Kentucky continued the pressure as they earned a free kick in the 38th minute. The shot was blocked and collected by defender Gracie Falla. 
• The teams went into the locker room level after a late first-half surge from the Gamecocks which saw multiple crosses put into dangerous areas, but no end product. 
• The Gamecocks started the second half the same way they started the game with forwards Cat Barry and Collins looking to slip in behind the Wildcat defense. Collins was able to get a shot off in the 52nd minute which flew over the bar. 
• Collins was slipped through again by Barry in the 59th minute. Her shot aimed for the bottom right corner was pushed wide by Wildcat keeper Marz Josephson.
• A Gamecock corner kick in the 75th minute led to a ricochet in the box which found a Kentucky hand. The penalty was given and converted in the top right corner by Katie Shea Collins for her fifth Gamecock goal of the season. The Gamecocks were able to handle business for the final fifteen and secure the victory. 

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks move to 2-0-0 in SEC play and will return home Thursday, September 26th at 7:00 PM as they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs.