Sept. 7, 2015
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sophomore forward Savannah McCaskill scored two goals with a pair of assists from junior midfielder Chelsea Drennan in 16th ranked South Carolina’s 4-1 victory over Charlotte on Monday night. The Gamecocks improve to 5-1-0 on the season, while the loss drops the 49ers to 4-2-0.
The Gamecocks claimed a 2-0 lead early in the match. In the third minute on a through ball from Drennan, McCaskill placed a shot over Charlotte’s keeper, Annika McHenry’s head in the left corner of the net. Sophomore midfielder Dominique Babbitt provided the game-winner with a goal in the sixth minute on a long throw-in from junior defender Kaleigh Kurtz.
Charlotte cut South Carolina’s lead in half on a header from Ellie Deaver off a corner kick.
The Gamecocks renewed the offensive attack early in the second half as the combination of Drennan to McCaskill again found the back of the net. In the 54th minute Drennan’s cross found McCaskill who sent a sliding shot past McHenry for her second score of the match.
Junior forward Daija Griffin netted her first goal of the season in the 69th minute and gave the Gamecocks the 4-1 advantage. GAME CHANGER
McCaskill’s goal in the 54th minute gave the Gamecocks a 3-1 lead and put the match out of reach for the 49ers.
KEY STAT South Carolina finished the match with a 19-7 shot advantage over Charlotte.
NOTABLES
- Savannah McCaskill’s two goals give her a team-high four on the season. She is now just one shy of her offensive output from a year ago, as she scored five goals her freshman season.
- Chelsea Drennan’s two assists give her a team-high five on the season. She is now tied for second all time in school history with 24 in her career.
- Dominique Babbitt recorded her first career goal and assist.
- Eleven different Gamecocks have scored goals this season.
- Kaleigh Kurtz was credited with her first assist of the season.
- Daija Griffin netted her first goal of the season.
QUOTABLE South Carolina Head Coach Shelley Smith
I think we again played a great second half. We came out and scored some early goals. I think part of the first half we were a little flat but the second half we really came out showed how well we can play. I think we kept the pressure on and showed up for that second half really well. We limited them to few opportunities. Abbey (Crider) came in and made a great save and that’s what you need. It was great effort. Everyone did their jobs, especially in the second half and we got to play a lot of players and show different combinations. It was a good chance to get some experience going into conference play.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks travel to Athens, Ga. on Fri., Sept. 11 to open SEC play against the Bulldogs before returning home to Stone Stadium on Mon., Sept. 14 to host Kennesaw State.
