Gamecocks to Take On Minnesota in NCAA Round 2

COLUMBIA, SC – Three-seeded South Carolina Women’s Soccer (11-3-7) will play No. 6 seeded Minnesota (13-4-3) on Friday, Nov. 22 at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+ in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

LAST TIME OUT

South Carolina defeated East Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament (Nov. 15) 6-0. The Gamecocks saw a hat trick from freshman Katie Shea Collins (her second of the season), a brace from fifth-year Catherine Barry and a first career goal from keeper Taylor Fox.

• Barry’s two goals on the night helped her surpass Jenny Ondo to take the program record for most career goals with 51. Her 18 goals this season are the most scored in a season in program history as well.
• South Carolina got things started early with a corner kick in the sixth minute but failed to connect with the back of the net.
• Collins got behind the Pirate’s back line thanks to a long ball from junior Gracie Falla. Collins beat the last defender and the goalkeeper to get the Gamecocks on the board in the 31st minute.
• 20 seconds later, a Pirate defender caught Barry’s jersey inside the 18th, and South Carolina was given a penalty kick. Barry converted to double the lead.
• The Gamecock forward duo kept things rolling in the second half. Barry scored her 2nd goal of the match, and 51st in her career in the 55th minute with a shot to the lower left corner. Fifth year Hallie Meadows passed the ball to fifth year Corinna Zullo who crossed it to Collins. She found the back of the net in the 57th minute.
• Collins completed her hat trick with a header off of a cross from Barry in the 76th minute, giving the Gamecocks a 5-0 lead.
• Fifth-year goalkeeper Taylor Fox checked into the game in the 81st minute. Just a few seconds later, another Gamecock was fouled in the box. Fox stepped up to the spot, and converted the PK for her first ever career goal.
• This was the third time this season South Carolina has had two players score two plus goals in a match. Barry has been a part of each of those games.
• The six goals are the most the Gamecocks have scored in a NCAA game since scoring seven against Alabama State in 2016.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN GOPHERS

Friday’s matchup with Minnesota will be just the third in program history, with the Gophers leading the overall series 2-0. The pair last faced off in Minneapolis, with the Gophers netting a 2-1 win in overtime.

Minnesota heads into the match having defeated South Dakota State 2-0 in the first round.

FAN INFO

Fans can follow along with in-game updates on X, @GamecockWSoccer.