No. 17 Gamecocks Open SEC Play at Alabama

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 17 South Carolina women’s soccer team (6-1-1) opens SEC play on the road against RV Alabama (5-1-1) at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The match will be televised live on SECN. 

LAST TIME OUT 

The Gamecocks enter the match coming off their first loss of the season at No. 16 Georgetown, 0-1. South Carolina held their opponents to just two goals through eight nonconference games. 

South Carolina came into the first half hot, controlling possession and taking early chances. Senior Pepperdine transfer Taylor Bloom was a vital piece to the Gamecock defense, keeping the Hoyas at bay on several occasions throughout the first 30 minutes. 

Freshman Mackenzie Johnson got the first shot off for South Carolina in the 14th minute, missing just high over the crossbar. Katie Shea Collins took a chance herself two minutes later, connecting to the back of the net from the left side, but was called offside. In the 23rd minute, Reagan Schubach won a ball back outside the 18 and fired straight past a Georgetown defender, but it came off high. 

The Gamecocks took two more chances in the first half, missing chances to get on the board by mere inches. In the 38th minute, a handball call on Sophie Johnson set up a penalty kick for Georgetown, which they converted to make things 1-0. 

The stats sheet looked even between both teams in the second half, with neither adding a goal. The Gamecocks finished with nine shots and two corners, while keeper Christina Tsaousis tallied two saves. 

SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE

Thursday’s match against Alabama will be the 26th in program history. The two teams last met in the quarterfinals of the 2024 SEC Tournament (Nov. 5) when the Gamecocks won 4-1. Returners Amanda Patrick and Autumn Cayelli scored their first career goals during the game, and Kinley Brown and Cuyler Zulauf each recorded an assist. 

Alabama enters the contest coming off a 1-1 tie against No. 3 Duke on the road. The Crimson Tide levelled the score in the 90th minute on a goal from Junior midfielder Nadia Ramadan. Alabama is undefeated at home so far this season. 

South Carolina has won the last three matchups and leads the series 19-5-1. 

FAN INFO

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