South Carolina-Tennessee Box Scocre in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Sept. 29, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina and 16th ranked Tennessee battled to 0-0 tie on Friday evening in SEC women’s soccer action as both teams went 110 minutes without a goal. The tie moves Carolina’s record to 8-3-1 and 2-0-1 in conference play with the Lady Vols record at 4-3-3 and 0-1-2 in the SEC. Carolina goalkeeper Laura Armstrong made four saves as the Gamecocks earned their sixth consecutive shutout. UT goalkeeper Jaimel Johnson had two saves to earn a shutout for the Lady Vols.
“It was a huge match for us,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We were playing a tremendous team. Tennessee is top of the conference every year and very talented. For us to come out and play like we did, it is a huge credit to the team. Unfortunately our players feel that they disappointed themselves because they had chances but they have to remember the positive is we created chances and didn’t give them many against us.”
The scoreless tie is the first for Carolina since October 24, 2003 when the Gamecocks battled Ole Miss in Oxford to 0-0 match. It is the first tie of the season for USC and extends the Gamecocks unbeaten streak to six matches. Carolina has not allowed a goal since the first half of a neutral site match vs. Charlotte. It is the longest in USC history that the Gamecocks have gone without allowing a goal with six straight shutouts.
“The defense has been very solid and they play very well together,” said Smith. “Each of them cover for each other. If one gets beat, the other one is there. They play safe and have done very good to eliminate mistakes that have happened in the past. They have given us a chance to win games. It’s a point against the defending SEC champions. You want to win, we did everything we could and just that final ball didn’t get to the back of the net. Both teams went back and forth and I think both teams didn’t deserve to lose.”
Tennessee finished the match with a 14-10 edge. South Carolina forward Samantha Diaz-Matosas gave USC its best shot in the first half as she drove by the Tennessee defense only to see her shot go high of the goal at the 13:47 mark. Armstrong was able to deny Emily Redberg in the 20th minute and Mick Ingram in the 22nd minute as well. The second half saw Carolina’s Annie Galloway almost scored in the 61st minute with a header inside the six saved by Johnson for Tennessee. Ashley Kirk also had a free kick from outside the “18” that was blocked and saved by Johnson in goal for the Lady Vols.
“They have strengths all over the field and are dangerous all the time in the offensive third that’s why I give credit to our team for shutting down their attack,” said Smith. “You have to do a good job to work as a team because a lot of their players are good 1v1, dangerous if you give them an inch to shoot. We got out and helped each other defensively. The throw-ins, in addition to everything else they have, it was a tremendous effort by our team. Playing beyond 90 minutes, we dug deep and we have to make sure we turn around and get ready for Sunday.”
South Carolina continues the homestand on Sunday afternoon with a match vs. the Georgia Bulldogs at Stone Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 pm as it is Family Fun Weekend, with all youth getting in for just $1 admission wearing a youth soccer jersey. Live gametracker stats and audio broadcast with Matt Younginer and Ali Jarrow is available at uscsports.com.
