Nov. 20, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Third-ranked South Carolina closes out its fall schedule on Friday, when the Gamecocks travel to Stillwater, Okla. to face No. 8 Oklahoma State. Friday’s meet at the Animal Science Arena will begin at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT) and admission is free.
Friday’s meet marks the first time ever that the defending SEC Champion and Big 12 Champion have met the following season. The Gamecocks have won two straight SEC titles while the Cowgirls have won three straight Big 12 crowns.
“We’re looking forward to what will be a very competitive meet on Friday,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “Oklahoma State is one of the better teams in the country on their own turf so we expect coach Sanchez and his girls to be very prepared. This may be our toughest road meet of the entire season so it will certainly be a challenge, but I think our girls have gotten better with each meet this year, and I think it will be a very exciting meet.”
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
• South Carolina is 3-2 overall this season, and 2-1 in SEC play.
• The Gamecocks are the highest ranked SEC team in the country at No. 3.
• Carolina is 2-1 on the road this season and 1-1 at home.
• Four of South Carolina’s next five meets are on the road.
• The Gamecocks are 0-2 in their only two trips to Stillwater.
SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS
• Oklahoma State is 1-3 this season, and 0-3 in Big 12 action.
• Friday’s meet is the first of four straight home meets for the Cowgirls.
• All three of Oklahoma State’s losses have come on the road against Big 12 opponents.
• Oklahoma State is competing in only nine regular season meets this season (the Gamecocks have 12 regular season meets on their schedule)
• The Cowgirls routed South Dakota State, 16-4, in their only home meet so far this season.
LAST MEETING
The Gamecocks and Cowgirls have not met since the regular season finale of the 2012-13 season in Stillwater. The Cowgirls defeated the Gamecocks in a 10-10 tiebreaker on March 9, 2013. The hunt seat team won, 7-3, while the western team lost, 7-3.
HOME WINNING STREAK
Oklahoma State has won 12 straight meets at the Animal Science Center, with the Cowgirls’ last home loss coming on Nov. 3, 2012 to TCU.
NCEA RANKINGS – Nov. 18, 2014
1. Baylor (7-0)
2. TCU (3-1)
3. South Carolina (3-2)
4. Kansas State (4-2)
5. Georgia (2-2)
6. Auburn (2-2)
7. SMU (4-3)
8. Oklahoma State (1-3)
9. Texas A&M (2-3)
10. New Mexico State (3-3)
ROAD WARRIORS
South Carolina has entered a stretch of its schedule where five of six meets are on the road.
Nov. 7 – at Fresno State (Won, 13-6)
Nov. 21 – at Oklahoma State
Jan. 31 – vs. SMU
Feb. 7 – at Georgia
Feb. 7 – vs. Delaware State (in Bishop, Ga.)
Feb. 21 – at Texas A&M
UP NEXT
South Carolina begins spring competition on Jan. 31, when the Gamecocks host SMU at One Wood Farm. It will mark the return of former assistant coach Carol Gwin, who took over the Mustangs program after four seasons with the Gamecocks.
