Oct. 19, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Sarah Lentz’s goal at 80:56 in the second half lifted the USC women’s soccer team to a 2-1 win vs. Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium on Senior Day. The win improves Carolina to 9-6-2 on the year and 2-3-1 in the SEC. Kentucky, who came into the match unbeaten in SEC play, is now 6-6-3 and 4-1-2 in the SEC.
“I’m proud of the effort from our team,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “Our players know that if we come out and play our game we can compete with any team.”
After a scoreless first half the Gamecocks got on board early in the second period to take a one-goal lead. Junior Ashley Williams drove to the top of the 18 and laced a shot past Kentucky goalkeeper Liz Butler to the right corner giving Carolina a 1-0 edge. The goal for Williams was her second of the season and came at 54:38.
Kentucky struck back 14 minutes later to tie the match at one on a goal from Elisabeth Jones. A through ball from Elizabeth Ramsey found an open Jones, who knocked in the shot from 10 yards past Carolina goalkeeper Elise Matthews.
The match remained even until until the 80th minute when Lentz scored the game-winning goal. Off a corner kick from Shelly Hoddeson, Lentz won the battle for the ball with Kentucky players and knocked a shot to the far post that was high enough to get past Butler giving Carolina the 2-1 lead.
Both teams finished the match with seven shots apiece. Before the match, Carolina honored its senior class of Erica Bowie, Becca Epstein, Melissa Hutson, Alison Jarrow and Elise Matthews. Sunday’s match vs. the Wildcats was the final home game of the season. Carolina is now 6-0-1 in Sunday afternoon matches at Stone Stadium.
“Their leadership is important and those five stepped it up for us and played well,” said Coach Smith.
Carolina returns to the road next weekend traveling to the state of Mississippi with conference matches slated vs. Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Carolina and Ole Miss will compete on Friday evening at 8 p.m. ET and face the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s match is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on SEC-TV.
