Oct. 17, 2002
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team (10-4, 3-2 SEC) continues its homestand this weekend with a pair of matches at home vs. SEC East rivals. The Gamecocks host Georgia (6-7-1, 2-2 SEC) Friday evening at 7 p.m. and conclude the weekend vs. the No. 14 Tennessee Lady Vols (10-4, 3-1 SEC). Carolina is currently in second place in the Eastern Division.
“I expect both matches to be very competitive this weekend,” said head coach Shelley Smith. “Georgia wants to go back to the NCAA Tournament and are playing at a high level. They are playing very well and are a better team then the record shows.”
South Carolina enters the weekend second best in the SEC in goals allowed, only yielding 10 goals on the year in 14 matches. Junior goalkeeper Elise Matthews is also second in the SEC in goals against average at 0.69. A trio of seniors lead the Gamecocks on the offensive side, with forward Morgan McIntyre leading USC in points (14) and goals (7). All-SEC midfielders Jess Julin and Melinda Carter each own four goals also for Carolina. Julin also owns five assists to lead the Gamecocks.
Tennessee and Georgia each knocked off South Carolina last season when the Gamecocks traveled to Athens and Knoxville. Georgia came away with a 1-0 victory, while the Lady Vols earned a 3-1 win.
Georgia’s lone goal came at the 65th minute, when Nicole Greathead scored off a deflection for the game-winning goal. Matthews recorded seven saves for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina held a 1-0 lead at halftime, before Tennessee scored three unanswered goals in the second half to win the match. The Gamecocks came out firing away in the first half, scoring the first goal of the match. Midfielder Melissa Hutson scored her second goal of the season at 20:06 from just outside the penalty box to give USC a 1-0 lead. Down 1-0, Tennessee came back to tie the match at 51:17 as Kayla Lockaby scored off a deflection. Just over a minute later, Sue Flamini scored off a direct kick to put the Volunteers up 2-1. Tennessee finished the scoring at 79:03 as Keeley Dowling scored off a penalty kick.
This weekend’s matches are South Carolina’s final two home SEC matches of the season. USC will honor the senior class before Sunday’s match vs. Tennessee. The Gamecocks conclude the home season on October 29 vs. Wofford at 7 p.m.
