Oct. 3, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team and No. 14 Auburn battled to a 0-0 tie on Friday evening in the SEC opener for both teams in front of 658 fans at Stone Stadium. Senior goalkeeper Elise Matthews recorded a shutout and made five saves on the night for the Gamecocks. The tie between Carolina and Auburn marks the second consecutive tie between the two teams. The tie moves Carolina’s record to 7-3-2 and 0-0-1 in conference play with Auburn’s record 7-1-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the conference. Carolina returns home on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. vs. Alabama.
“I thought we played a much better second half, kept the pressure on their end and did a good job to shut down their offense,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We did not turn the ball over as much and did a better job competing and to find our opportunities. Our back four played well tonight and contained three very dangerous forwards from Auburn.”
Auburn finished the night with a 14-6 shot advantage, but the Gamecocks owned a 4-3 edge in the second half. The Tigers had nine shots in the first half including a shot midway into the first period by Sarah Steinmann that went off the crossbar.
Carolina had several opportunities in the box in the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Forwards Ashley Williams and Camille Toney each broke through with shots wide of the Auburn goal. Toney and sophomore defender Jackie Welch each had two shots on the night to lead the Gamecocks.
USC is now 0-2-2 this season in overtime periods and the South Carolina and Auburn series remains tied with a 2-2-3 history. No home team has ever won in the series between South Carolina and Auburn. Carolina and Auburn tied 1-1 last season at Auburn.
