Sept. 26, 2004
Tuscaoloosa, Ala. – Alabama scored four second half goals on its way to a 4-2 victory over the South Carolina women’s soccer team on Sunday afternoon. South Carolina’s record drops to 6-5 overall and 0-2 in the SEC with Alabama improving to 5-5 and 1-1 in conference play. The Gamecocks return home on Friday, Oct. 1 to host Georgia at Stone Stadium with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
USC was ahead after the first half of play with a 1-0 lead scoring in the early part of the first period on an own goal, the third own goal of the season for the Gamecocks. Carolina midfielder Kimmy Gillespie fed a pass to Courtney Cobbs, who sprinted pass the Alabama defense down the wing and into the box. From six yards out, Cobbs hit a cross that went and off Alabama defender Chelsea Stang into the goal.
Alabama however would come back with two goals early in the second half within two minutes to take a one-goal lead The first goal came off the set piece as a long serve by Cally Morrill was knocked in the box with Allison DeLisle scoring on a shot to the corner post at 58:33. Less than one minute later, Alabama scored its second goal at 59:07 as Hayley MacDonald’s through ball found an open Kylie Body, who knocked shot from inside the box past USC goalkeeper Laura Armstrong.
The Gamecocks would tie the match at 2-2 at 75:40 with Sarah Lentz scoring her fourth goal off the season. Jessi Swaim’s corner kick found Lentz in the box, who headed the ball to the far post. The assist for Swaim was her fourth of the season.
Alabama struck back quickly though scoring in the 77th minute and 79th minute to gain a two-goal lead on USC. Jordan O’Banion put the Crimson Tide ahead with a goal off a shot from the top of the box and to the high left corner of the goal and out of the reach of Armstrong. Allison DeLisle added to the lead scoring with a header off a throw-in from Chelsea Stang.
South Carolina finished the match with an 11-9 shot advantage including five shots from Sarah Lentz and two from Ashley Kirk to lead the way.
Friday night’s home match will be broadcast live on www.uscsports.com. South Carolina also hosts defending SEC champion Tennessee next weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a doubleheader with the USC men’s team. The men’s squad will face Gardner Webb at 4 p.m. following the USC-Tennessee match.
