Oct. 3, 2002

Columbia, S.C. – Fresh off a thrilling 1-0 overtime win vs. Florida, the University of South Carolina women’s soccer team (8-2, 1-0 SEC) heads back on the road this weekend for two SEC matches. Carolina will compete at Kentucky on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude its weekend with a 2 p.m. ET match vs. Vanderbilt.

“I think we started off on the right foot vs. Florida this past week and the team is excited and ready for this weekend,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “This weekend is going to be tough facing two top teams in our conference and we need to be ready to meet the challenge.”

Last week’s victories vs. Furman and Florida elevated USC to No. 6 in the Southeast Region according to the NSCAA. Sunday’s win vs. Florida gave the Carolina squad its eighth victory of the season, equaling last year’s total.

In addition, USC sophomore forward Ashley Williams earned SEC Player of the Week honors and was named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week, after scoring two goals including the game-winner vs. Florida.

Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews is currently second in the SEC and 13th in the nation in goals against average with an impressive 0.53 GAA. Matthews owns two shutouts this season and has played and started all ten matches for South Carolina.

South Carolina returns home next weekend for the beginning of a four-match homestand. On Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. the Gamecocks will host the Arkansas Lady Backs.