September 17, 2001

Columbia, S.C. – Continuing its hot start to the 2001 season, the South Carolina women’s soccer team (3-0-2) defeated Furman 3-0, Mon. evening. The Gamecocks controlled the game, outshooting the Lady Paladins 17-10. Junior goalkeeper Carolyn Ortega earned her first shutout of the season as USC defeated the Southeast Region’s No. 8 ranked team, the Lady Paladins.

“Our whole philosophy heading into a game is on our work ethic and putting a lot of our players in there to make things happen,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “Tonight our team played well. Our forwards were causing a lot of things to happen in the box.”

South Carolina opened the scoring of the match early in the first half as a foul by a Lady Paladins defender in the box gave USC a penalty kick. Senior co-captain Lydia Bienias knocked in her first goal of the season off the penalty kick to put the Gamecocks up 1-0.

USC wasn’t done there though, as junior co-captain Melinda Carter outdueled Furman goalkeeper Melissa Barnes off a rebound, to put the Gamecocks up by two. Carter’s intensity continued throughout the game and showed in the final four minutes as “Bullet” assisted on a goal scored by freshman Ashley Gosnell to give the Gamecocks the 3-0 victory.

“Melinda (Carter) has done what we expected she would do when we moved her to left midfield,” said Coach Smith. “Every game she is having more effect and giving us more opportunities.”

The Gamecocks look to continue is undefeated streak in Wed. night match at 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium vs. South Carolina State. The Gamecocks are now 2-0 on the season at home.

Source: USCSPORTS.COM