October 28, 2001

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team (7-7-3, 2-6-2) was defeated by Mississippi State, 2-1, in overtime Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium. Bulldog midfielder April Berry’s goal, one minute and forty-five seconds into overtime sealed the victory for Mississippi State. The loss drops USC from contention for a berth in the SEC Tournament.

“We were able to take it to them in the middle of the first half and for the majority of the game,” said USC Head Coach Shelley Smith. “We got unlucky on a couple of opportunities and Mississippi State capitalized. We are still growing as a team and we must take what we learn from each game. We have to be able to move forward.”

The Gamecocks were in control of the match in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead at 42:08 when sophomore forward Erica Bowie scored her first goal of the season. Midfielder Jess Julin led Bowie with a pass, who beat Bulldog goalkeeper Stephanie Lyon, to put USC up 1-0.

Mississippi State came back in the second half at the 61st minute, as Kristin Peterson capitalized on a Gamecock error in the box, to put a goal past USC keeper Elise Matthews to knot the match at 1-1.

South Carolina had a chance just before the end of regulation to tie the game, as senior Lydia Bienias broke into the box with a shot, only to have new MSU goalkeeper Krystal Werges make the save for the Bulldogs. South Carolina completes the regular season on Fri. Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. as USC takes on UNC-Greensboro. The Gamecocks will honor seniors Lydia Bienias and Jessica Ward before the match.