Sept. 21, 2003
Columbia, SC – Freshman M.A. Foster’s goal at 67:23 lifted the South Carolina women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory against N.C. State on Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium. Elise Matthews had four saves in goal as the Gamecocks improved to 4-3-1 on the year. The loss drops N.C. State to 5-2-1 on the season.
“We played well this afternoon, didn’t let down and played an entire 90 minutes,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We were focused and aware of balls in the box and worked hard to negate their scoring chances. Our team never gave up and the offense moved the ball well up the field and we were able to take advantage of our opportunities.”
The match was scoreless until Foster tallied her second goal of the season midway into the second half. Amanda Thurber and Shelly Hoddeson each were able to knock the ball forward to Foster, who broke past the Wolfpack defense and scored on the touch in the box to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead.
N.C. State finished with a 13-11 shot advantage. Melissa Hutson and Foster had two shots apiece to lead the attack for Carolina. The win marked Carolina’s first shutout of the year and the squad’s second consecutive 1-0 victory vs. N.C. State. Carolina earned a 1-0 win last season in Raleigh. Carolina is now 7-1-2 in Sunday matches dating back to the start of the 2002 season.
The Gamecocks travel to Wofford on Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. match with the Terriers. Carolina returns home on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. vs. defending SEC champion Auburn.
