October 5, 2001

Gamecocks Lose Close Match to No. 16 Kentucky

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team (5-3-2, 0-2) lost a close tight battle vs. No. 16 Kentucky, Friday evening, falling to the Wildcats 1-0 at Stone Stadium. Kentucky’s Keri Boyce scored the game-winning goal at 36:01 off a corner kick to spoil USC’s return to Columbia.

“This is a tough one to take,” said USC Head Coach Shelley Smith. “Our team came out and played well and we competed and dominated on the offensive side. To give up the goal they scored makes it a little harder.”

South Carolina controlled most of the play on the offensive side, holding an 11-8 shot advantage in the match as well as a 6-3 corner kick edge. Elise Matthews played the entire 90 minutes in goal for USC making three saves. Four USC players including junior Melinda Carter and sophomore Melissa Hutson each had two shots on goal to lead the Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks had several chances in the second period to score. Adding a spark on the offensive side included freshman Ashley Williams and sophomore Erica Bowie.

“In the last 20 minutes we were all over them and had a lot of chances to make something happen,” said Coach Smith.

South Carolina will look to break its three-game losing streak with a Sunday afternoon match vs. Vanderbilt at 1 p.m. at Stone Stadium. Tonight’s match vs. Kentucky will be broadcast on FOX Sports Net South at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Source: USCSPORTS.COM