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Sept. 22, 2006

Box Score

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Junior midfielder Annie Galloway scored two goals as South Carolina opened SEC play with a 2-0 victory over Alabama at UA Soccer Stadium on Friday evening. Carolina is now 7-3 on the year, 1-0 in SEC play and extended its winning streak to four games. Alabama falls to 4-5 and 0-1 on the year.

“Going into this weekend, it’s so important to try to get some points on the road and our players came out and were ready to play,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We stuck to our game plan and played well as a team. Annie Galloway played awesome and got two goals, she was outstanding tonight. Our whole defense did a great job to stop Alabama and compete against the balls played into the box. We competed strong in the air. Laura (Armstrong) played well in goal and Kim Miller played a very good game. For a freshman, she stepped up and put pressure on the ball. All around, a very good performance on the field, everyone we asked to go in did their job. That makes a difference and that is why you come out with a win.”

Galloway gave the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead at the 22:38 mark of the first half. Controlling a throw-in, Galloway was able to dribble into the box and knock a shot from 12 yards out that went off the right corner post for the first goal of the match. Carolina finished the half with a 6-1 shot advantage against the Crimson Tide.

Carolina would increase the lead to 2-0 in the second half as Galloway scored her second goal of the match at 51:51. Junior defender Courtney Cobbs was able to make a run all the way to the end line and inside the box, where she located a pass that found Galloway on her run near the back post with Galloway drilling a one-timer in from about five yards out. Galloway now has four goals on the season.

“The first goal ended up with ball in front of me and I was able to get a touch and placed it right in the side of the goal,” said Annie Galloway. “Cobbs played a great ball on the second one and I got around their defender and was able to put it away.”

South Carolina finished the evening with an 11-5 shot advantage including two shots from Galloway and two from Samantha Diaz-Matosas. Carolina goalkeeper Laura Armstrong earned her third shutout of the year and made three saves in goal for the Gamecocks. Carolina has allowed just one goal or less in all 10 matches played this season. Alabama goalkeeper Kara Gudmens had one save for the Crimson Tide.

“We made a little adjustment at half and kept the pressure on Alabama in their third. Scoring makes all the difference in the world. Our backs and defense are giving us chances to win games, now we just have to continue to finish the opportunities we have.”

South Carolina will conclude its road trip and first SEC weekend with a match at Auburn on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 3 pm ET. Live gametracker stats will be available at uscsports.com