Aug 30, 2013
BOSTON – The South Carolina women’s soccer team battled Boston University to a 0-0 draw tonight at Nickerson Field to remain unbeaten through the first three games of the season.
“It was a tough game, a great road test for us,” Head Coach Shelley Smith said. “BU is a good team. They’re physical, they work really hard and they’re very hard to break down and we didn’t solve their pressure, especially in the first half. In the second half and overtime we put some more pressure on them, but we couldn’t find a goal. The team worked, the effort was there and we’re happy to come away without giving up a goal and stay undefeated, but we’re not happy about not getting a goal.”
Senior forward Danielle Au started things off early with hard shot to the right side and junior defender Andie Romness followed that up with a another attempt in the 13th minute before both sides began to settle into the flow of play. The Gamecocks began to pick up the tempo after crossing the 30-minute mark of the half. The passes in the middle and offensive third began to connect, but the final passes weren’t there.
BU closed the half by putting pressure on the Carolina backline, but the defense held strong despite giving up a pair of corners.
Carolina looked to come out quick in the half, pushing the pace, but the Terriers were able to hit a counter in the 49th minute, but the low shot was easy for junior keeper Sabrina D’Angelo to snag.
The Terriers had a golden opportunity in the in the 74th minute after a giveaway in the defensive third while D’Angelo was caught out. Madison Clemens went for a lofted shot, but it sailed just over the crossbar.
Neither side was able to find the back of net in regulation after only five shots total were attempted through 90 minutes.
The Gamecocks had their chances late in the first overtime, but the game-winner never came. After great play on the right side from senior Christine Watts and freshman Paige Bendell in the 96th minute, the senior attempted to split two defenders in the box before going down, but no call was given.
The Gamecocks had a pair of corners with less than two minutes to play in the first period of extra time, but the first was knocked wide of the goal with the second was punched out by BU goalkeeper Andrea Green.
South Carolina’s last effort of the match came from midfielder Chelsea Drennan. The freshman hit a hard shot from the top of the box with 20 seconds remaining, but the shot was blocked.
South Carolina will return to action Sunday afternoon as the team faces Northeastern at 1 p.m. ET in Brookline, Mass.
Season tickets for women’s soccer, which includes admission to all home games, are currently on sale in the Gamecock Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at GamecocksOnline.com, or by calling 1-800-4SC-FANS. Cost for season tickets for men’s soccer is $25 for adults and $10 for youth (17 and under).
