Sept. 12, 2003
College Station, Texas – Amanda Burke’s goal at 96:46 in the first overtime lifted No. 5 Texas A&M to a 2-1 victory over the South Carolina women’s soccer team on Friday evening at the Aggie Soccer Complex. Carolina held a 1-0 lead up until the 87:18 mark in the game after a second half goal from sophomore Amanda Thurber. However, the Aggies tied the match with under two minutes remaining and earned the win in the first extra period of the match. The loss drops Carolina’s record to 2-3 on the year with Texas A&M improving to 4-0 on the season.
“We knew it would be a great opportunity against a top team and our players showed a lot of heart and lot of pride,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “Our players put forth a great effort tonight andit was very tough to come that close and be ahead up until the very end. We proved a lot and I’m proud of the team’s effort.”
The Gamecocks broke a scoreless tie at 76:01 to take a 1-0 lead as Thurber beat A&M goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak one-on-one from the top of the “18” mark for her first goal of the season. Freshman M.A. Foster assisted Thurber on the goal, her second assist of the year.
With the Gamecocks up by one goal, the Aggies tied the game at 1-1 with under two minutes remaining. Emma Smith scored her third goal of the year on a touch play from Kristen Strutz past Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews into an open net.
With the match knotted at one apiece the Aggies ended the game with Burke’s in the first overtime. Burke scored on a one-timer from the top of the six-yard box and was assisted by Laura Probst, who delivered a cross from the left side that found Burke for the game-winner. The loss in overtime for Carolina marked the second defeat this season in overtime for the Gamecocks, both overtime losses also against ranked opponents.
Texas A&M finished the night with a 17-7 shot advantage, but just a 9-6 edge in the second half and overtime periods. Senior goalkeeper Elise Matthews played the entire 96:46 and made two saves in goal for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina concludes its road trip on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. ET vs. Houston. Carolina returns home on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. vs. Davidson.
