Aug. 15, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – A goal from freshman Felicia Schroeder in the 73rd minute of play lifted the USC women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Davidson in an exhibition match on Monday evening at Stone Stadium. The two teams played three 30-minute periods of play in the first preseason match of the year with Carolina coming out on top by one goal. Sophomore midfielder Erin Sullivan also scored for USC as the Gamecocks finished the evening with a 10-3 shot advantage.
“Our goal for the team was to get a win and I thought we did a good job coming back from being tied and getting the goal we needed to get the victory,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “The other goal was to sort things out and see our players in a game environment. We got a good look at everyone. We will figure out a lot of things out from tonight’s match. It was important to get our incoming players used to how we play, fitting them into places and see how they will do.”
After a scoreless first period, USC began to control the match in the second period of play with Sullivan putting the Gamecocks on the scoreboard at 44:52. Sullivan and M.A. Foster were able to open up the box allowing Sullivan to receive Foster’s pass, get a touch on the ball and knock an eight-yard shot past the Davidson goalkeeper to the left corner for a one-goal Carolina lead.
“I had another forward up with me I got a lucky first touch, got around the defender and tried to slide it past the goalkeeper,” said Sullivan. “It’s about time. Finally after a year of practice I was able to get one. They are moving me around a bit and I’m feeling comfortable and in the middle.
“Erin did a great job tonight especially on the goal she scored,” said Smith. “A great first touch set her up. She did a good job to step in and play in the middle of the field.”
Davidson would knot the match up at one apiece in the 67th minute of play as Rachel Wightman controlled a cross from Kara Koehrn and drilled a 10-yard shot to the right corner and past Carolina goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson.
Carolina bounced back from the Wildcat goal and took control of the match at 72:17 as freshman Monica Hogan connected with Felicia Schroeder in the box, who headed the cross into the back of the net and giving the Gamecocks a one-goal lead.
Thorstenson played the first 30 minutes and final 30 minutes to earn the win. She had one save on the evening. Laura Armstrong played the second period also in goal for USC.
“I think we can create more opportunities,” said Coach Smith. “In the first part of the match we were a bit hesitant and didn’t open the game up well enough. Once we made some adjustments I think we did a good job to find our midfielders and attack their end of the net. Ashley Kirk did a great job to get the ball and we built off her and opened up more chances.”
South Carolina completes its preseason schedule on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. with an exhibition match at Duke. The Gamecocks season opener will be next Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. when Carolina hosts Mercer at Stone Stadium.
***Note on box score the teams played three periods of play. There was no overtime in the match.
