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Sept. 3, 2006

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Columbia, S.C. – Three different players tallied goals on Sunday afternoon as the South Carolina women’s soccer team raised its record (2-2) to .500 with a 3-1 victory over James Madison (0-3) at Stone Stadium. Samantha Diaz-Matosas, Annie Galloway and Blakely Mattern all scored as Carolina won its second straight match. USC returns to action on Tuesday evening at 5 pm vs. The Citadel at Stone Stadium. The women’s match is part of a doubleheader with the men’s squad, who will face Centenary at the conclusion of the first game.

“It was outstanding effort from our team today,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We have improved each game; we did things today much better than we did in the past three games. Finishing was one, everyone went in took care of the roles we asked, it was a true team effort. Some of our players came up strong to finish goals for us; we had good services and good running off the ball.”

The goal chances came early for Carolina with the Gamecocks going ahead 1-0 in the 18th minute of play on freshman forward Samantha Diaz-Matosas’ first career goal. Sophomore forward Felicia Schroeder played a nice through ball that found Diaz-Matosas breaking through to the box, where she knocked in a shot from inside the “18.”

With a 1-0 lead after halftime, USC struck quickly in the first half at the 47th minute to go up by two goals as junior midfielder Annie Galloway connected from inside the six-yard box. Junior defender Courtney Cobbs was credited with an assist on the play.

James Madison would cut into the Carolina lead at 63:25 though as Teri Maykoski directed a restart ball played from Morven Ross into the net and past Carolina goalkeeper Laura Armstrong. The Gamecocks would answer on their own set piece though to go back up by two goals at 77:56 when Blakely Mattern timed a corner kick ball well placed by Ashley Kirk and headed it into the back corner of the net giving the Gamecocks a 3-1 lead.

“Blakely was due, we said that at halftime,” said Coach Smith. “She went and hit the post today (in the first half). She has been knocking at the door and Kirk played an excellent ball into her and Blakely did a great job to focus in a crowd and finish for us.”

South Carolina held a 14-6 shot advantage in the match as well as a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.

“Set pieces are crucial,” said Coach Smith. “That’s what we gave up (as well) unfortunately. That’s a dangerous part of the game and we have to make sure we take advantage of our chances. The last couple of seasons we have had numerous amount of crosses and corner kicks that we haven’t put away. Kirk, this year, her balls are even better and we have players that are finishing. We hope to continue scoring off those opportunities.”

Armstrong finished with three saves in goal while JMU goalkeeper Diane Wszalek ended the game with four in net for JMU.

South Carolina has a quick turnaround with the squad’s next match on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5 pm vs. The Citadel. Live gametracker stats and live audio broadcast is available at uscsports.com.

“It is similar (to conference weekend),” said Coach Smith. “If you play Friday night, you only have a day of rest and have to recover quickly. We have to make sure we take care of ourselves health-wise, turn it right around and be ready to go on Tuesday. With the heat too, you have to make sure to care of your body and be ready to go.”