Nov. 7, 2002
Oxford, Miss. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team (13-6-2) was defeated 2-1 Thursday afternoon by Florida in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Senior Morgan McIntyre scored the lone goal for the Gamecocks as USC awaits next Monday’s 64-team selection for the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina is looking for the school’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament since the 1998 season.
“I’m not disappointed with our effort and I’m proud of how are team battled,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We battled even when we were two goals down and showed a lot of pride out on the field.”
Florida went ahead 1-0 early in the first period as Florida midfielder Danielle Murphy fed Crystal Frimpong, who beat the Carolina defense and goalkeeper Elise Matthews for her fifth goal of the season. Both teams battled for most the half in the midfield, with both teams gaining little offense inside the “18.” Florida outshot the Gamecocks in the first half, with a 3-2 shot advantage. Senior midfielder Jessica Julin had both shots in the first half for USC.
With 30 minutes remaining Melinda Carter launched a direct kick over the crossbar just missing a shot to knot the match at one apiece. Florida increased its lead to 2-0 at the 61:47 mark. Off the set piece, Florida forward Jen Gardner headed the free kick into the left corner, high enough to get past Matthews.
Carolina came close with another opportunity at 65:26 as Carter’s shot in the box was tipped by Amanda Thurber and just missed creeping into the corner before Gator keeper Jordan Kellgren made the save.
Carolina moved the game to within one with 12 minutes remaining. Senior forward Morgan McIntyre found an opening in the Gator defense to cut the deficit to 2-1. McIntyre drove to about 20 yards just outside the box and launched a shot that flew over Kellgren to bring the Gamecocks within one goal. For McIntyre it was her ninth goal of the season.
At the 84:00 mark in the match Carolina came close to getting the second goal as Carter’s free kick into the box was knocked just left of the goal by Jess Julin.
