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Sept. 14, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina (4-3) women’s soccer team returns to action this weekend on Friday, Sept. 15 with a match vs. in-state rival Clemson (4-2) at Stone Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 pm with live audio and live gametracker stats available at uscsports.com.
This weekend’s meeting will be the 12th time the two schools have competed in women’s soccer. Clemson earned a 1-0 win last season with an early goal in the first half of play. Carolina last defeated the Tigers in 2004 when the Gamecocks earned a 2-0 win in Columbia.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to experience a Pregame Fun Fest that includes inflatables, face painting, games and prizes from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The first 250 fans to arrive to Friday’s match will receive a free Beat Clemson t-shirt along with a free Gamecock memory band. The first 300 fans will receive a USC Soccer schedule magnet.
In addition, the South Carolina Athletic Department is supporting Children’s Chance, a charity devoted to helping the families of South Carolina children facing cancer. The first 1,000 fans to bring and old key to the match will receive a free Marble Slab Creamery coupon. Old keys will be recycled by Metal Removal Technologies with proceeds going to Children’s Chance.
Adult tickets are $10 and youth tickets are $5. A Family Plan is available as well — $20 for two adults and two children. USC Students and USC staff/faculty are admitted free with a USC ID card.
Comments From Coach Smith
(On competing against Clemson on Friday)
“We are excited to be home against Clemson. It’s always a big game whether it’s here or there. The last time we played them at home, we were able to defeat them for the first time in a long time. Hopefully, we can recreate that situation. An advantage is that we will have a good crowd and with that support, we look forward to a great night of soccer. Both teams are top quality teams and as always, it is a great showcase for two of the top teams in South Carolina. It should be exciting to watch.”
“It is Clemson and the minute you step on campus, you know, that’s your rival. Players who have played the last couple years, they realize it’s a huge game. The freshmen may not understand as much. We have players from the Upstate and players who were more familiar with Clemson growing up, so it’s a big game for them to be in.”
(On the last week of non-conference play)
“All of this is getting ready for SEC play. Clemson is a great test for us. They are a top quality team and the players know there is added pressure. We look to improve on past performances and continue to play and have our best performance of the year. If our players can do that, that would be great going into the SEC games.”
(On the expectations of the match)
“It’s a battle. No team is going to run away with the game. It means a lot to the players. You see a display of good soccer with a lot of heart. The rivalry is at its best and we are all excited to be a part of it.”
(On playing on a Friday night at home under the lights vs. Clemson)
“Between Todd Bramble (Clemson head coach) and I, we agreed that these games needed to be showcase games. It needs to highlight what we have here for women’s soccer. It deserves to be on a weekend night and we worked hard to make our schedules so we can have it so the crowds can come.”
WEEKLY NOTES
HOMETOWN GIRL GETS WINNING GOAL IN 1-0 WIN OVER FURMAN
South Carolina freshman defender Blakely Mattern returned to her hometown of Greenville in dramatic fashion with a goal scored late in the first half that was enough to help lift the Gamecock women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Furman on Monday night on the final day of the Carolinas’ Cup. Junior goalkeeper Laura Armstrong, also from the Upstate, recorded her first shutout of the season and had a pair of saves to help USC to the one-goal victory.
THREE GAMECOCKS NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM AT CAROLINAS’ CUP
South Carolina had three players named to the All-Tournament Team for this year’s Carolinas’ Cup. Blakely Mattern, Courtney Cobbs and Ashley Kirk all earned accolades for their play last weekend in the second annual Carolinas’ Cup. Furman hosted this year’s tournament. Charlotte will host next year’s event with the Gamecocks hosting in the 2008 season.
ONE OR NONE
South Carolina has allowed one goal or less in all seven matches played this season. Carolina goalkeeper Laura Armstrong had started all seven contests and holds 0.75 goals against average with 15 saves and one shutout. She has played over 603 minutes of 630 minutes played by the Gamecocks this season. Junior goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson, recovering from an injury, has one match this year.
SULLY RECORDS HAT TRICK IN WIN OVER CITADEL
Junior midfielder Erin Sullivan tied a school record for goals in game with three as she recorded a hat trick in Carolina’s 4-0 win over The Citadel on Tuesday evening. Sullivan became the fourth player in school history to accomplish the feat. The last player to score three goals in a game was Jennie Ondo on Sept. 11, 1996 in a win over Appalachian State.
GAMECOCKS RECORD FIRST SHUTOUT OF THE YEAR
Carolina’s 4-0 win over The Citadel was the team’s first shutout victory of the season. South Carolina not only shut out the Bulldogs but also did not allow a shot on goal the entire match with a 25-0 shot advantage.
SCHROEDER STREAK
Sophomore forward Felicia Schroeder scored a point in three consecutive matches, all USC wins, earlier this season. Schroeder is tied for fourth among the league leaders in points with eight on the season as she has scored three goals and added two assists. Schroeder recorded her first multi-goal game of her career at Carolina in the 2-1 win over Francis Marion. The two-goal performance marked the first time since last year vs. Alabama that a Carolina player had scored at least two goals in a match. Alex Mouton scored twice for USC in a 2-0 victory last year vs. the Crimson Tide.
GAMECOCKS FIRSTS
All three players to score goals in the win over James Madison also registered their first career goals in a Gamecock uniform. Samantha Diaz-Matosas, Annie Galloway and Blakely Mattern all put in their first goals for the garnet and black.
HOME SWEET HOME
Carolina has proven to be a tough team to beat at the Graveyard with a 29-16-3 record (.635) at Stone Stadium under head coach Shelley Smith. Those 29 victories include a 22-2 (.917) mark against non-conference teams. USC has won 15 straight home contests vs. non-conference teams dating back to the beginning of the 2003 season.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
South Carolina has been very successful over the last six seasons when scoring two goals or more. Carolina has compiled a 37-6-1 record when tallying at least two goals in a match, including a 6-0 mark last season. USC is 3-0 this year scoring two or more goals.
SECOND-HALF SURGE
The second-half has proven to be the difference in the early part of the season for the Gamecocks with six of their 10 goals coming in the last half of play. Also, four of five goals that opponents have scored have also been in the second half with the Gamecocks only once allowing an opposing team score in the first 45 minutes of action.
NEWCOMERS MAKE AN IMPACT
South Carolina has several fresh faces in the mix seeing action for the first time in the garnet and black. Freshman forward Samantha Diaz-Matosas and freshman defender Blakely Mattern have started all seven matches with midfielder Kim Miller and defender Shannon Bigbie each making five starts. Forward Leah Louguidice has also made a start for USC. All five newcomers have appeared in all seven matches this season.
Several Carolina newcomers also saw their first action in a win over The Citadel. Aly Shattls, Kacie Brewer, Lindsay Small, Amanda Dabbenigno and Kelly Gosnell each played their first career games. Gosnell is a walk-on and the younger sister of former USC letterwinner Ashley Gosnell (2001-04).
Head coach Shelley Smith brought in one of her deepest recruiting classes in her tenure with 10 newcomers in this year’s freshman class. The class was recognized with a No. 5 ranking in the SEC according to Soccer Buzz as well as 10th in the Southeast Region.
ON TAP
Another set of Gamecocks will be heading to Columbia for the next match as South Carolina hosts Jacksonville State at 12 noon on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Stone Stadium. The match is part of a doubleheader with the men’s squad.
