Oct. 4, 2013

Final Stats

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 19 South Carolina (10-1-1, 3-1-0) did what no team in SEC history has been able to do–win back-to-back games in Gainesville, Fla. On a header from Taylor Leach in the 109^th minute, the Gamecocks walked out of James G. Pressly Stadium with a 2-1 double-overtime victory tonight over No. 8 Florida (8-3-1, 1-2-0).

With a win earlier this season over then-No 7 Duke, tonight’s win marked the first time in program history that a Gamecock team has defeated two Top 10 opponents in the same season.

With just under 90 seconds remaining in the match, midfielder Chelsea Drennan lined up a corner kick. The service looked similar to an earlier corner from the freshman, but this time, Leach was able to place her header further toward the right and the ball found the back of the net. It was only Leach’s second career goal. For Drennan, it was her sixth assist of the season, tying Kayla Grimsley and Jennie Ondo’s freshman record for most assists in a season.

“It was a great victory for us,” South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith said. “Florida is a difficult place to play. We’ve been fortunate to win here the last two times. It’s a rare, rare thing. The team played with all its heart and that’s what you have to do. You have to give it your all. It took a team effort. Florida is a tremendous team. They’re going to be a top team in the country. They’ve been that and they still are. We’re fortunate to come out with a win.”

The Gators took the upperhand hand early on in the match, controlling possession, but were unable to break down a tough Gamecock defense. With half chances coming from each side, the game didn’t see it’s first shot until the 33:52 mark. Looking for Leach, sophomore Stevi Parker’s corner was intercepted by Florida and a counter attack ensued. The ball was knocked out wide to striker Savannah Jordan who ripped a shot wide of the right post.

South Carolina made their first opportunity of the match count in the 38^th minute as redshirt senior defender Christine Watts served a ball to the penalty spot that forward Bay Daniel got on the end of. With Florida keeper Taylor Burke back, the sophomore rose up and guided the ball inside the right post for her second goal of the season.

Pressure ensued from Gators and the shots came, forcing Gamecock keeper Sabrina D’Angelo to come up with a pair of saves. Despite the stops, D’Angelo had a bit of bad luck with under a minute remaining in the half. Florida’s Havana Solaun got space on the right side and sent a driving cross into the box that the Gamecock keeper laid out to grab, but the ball came off of her hands and landed at the feet of Jordan who went left on an open net for her 12^th goal of the year.

The second half continued just as the half ended, with the game being played much more open as both teams had their chances to put the opposition on their heels.

Solaun corralled a ball at the top of the 18 in the 55^th minute and hit a low strike to the left post, but D’Angelo came up with a big diving stop on the liner.

The Carolina junior was called upon less than 10 minutes later as a jostling battle between Jordan and Leach ensued. Leach went down just inside the box, leaving Jordan with a 1-on-1 with D’Angelo, but the keeper raced off her line and slid out just as the Florida striker took an attempt on goal.

With under 18 remaining in regulation, sophomore Carly Ray sent a long throw-in into the box that was flicked on to the far post, but the Gamecocks were unable to pounce the ball before Burke was able to pick up the bouncing ball.

The Gamecocks had their best chance of half in the 79^th minute as midfielder Chelsea Drennan lined up for a corner. The freshman’s service found the head of Leach on the far post, but the centerback’s strong header toward the right post was stopped by Burke as she went to the ground.

In the 103^rd minute, Jordan scored what appeared to be the game-winner, but she was called offside, which gave Carolina the chance to snatch the win in the final minutes.

The Gamecocks will head up north to Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday as they take on Tennessee. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m., ET and will air live on ESPNU.