Oct. 31, 2002

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s soccer team (12-5-2, 4-3-2 SEC) concludes regular season play on Friday at 7 p.m. with a road match at UNC-Greensboro (7-10-1). Friday evening’s match marks South Carolina’s final test before heading to the SEC Tournament next week in Oxford, Miss. South Carolina’s seed and opponent for the SEC Tournament will be determined after the SEC regular season completes this weekend.

“Obviously we want to finish the season strong and on a good note heading into the SEC Tournament,” said head coach Shelley Smith. “It’s important to continue winning in the region as the postseason nears.”

South Carolina is 8-2 in matches with non-conference opponents in 2002, with the only two losses coming vs. No. 12 Charlotte and No. 20 Clemson. The Gamecocks own a 6-2-1 record on the road as well, the best road record in USC women’s soccer history. South Carolina is two games away from tying the USC single-season record for wins, 14, set in the 1999 season.

USC earned the eighth non-conference win of the season this past Tuesday with a 1-0 win vs. Wofford. Senior Melinda Carter scored her sixth goal of the season and senior goalkeeper Carolyn Ortega earned her second shutout of the year. Carter leads USC with 17 points.