Oct. 20, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina junior midfielder Ashley Kirk scored two goals including the game-winner at the 104th minute of play in the second overtime as the Gamecocks rallied to defeat LSU 2-1 in SEC women’s soccer action on Friday evening. Carolina improves to 11-5-2, and 5-2-2 in the SEC while the loss drops the Tigers to 8-8-2 and 3-4-2 in the conference. USC remains undefeated at home as well with an 8-0-2 mark at Stone Stadium. The Gamecocks travel to Arkansas for a Sunday afternoon conference match set for 2 pm ET (1 pm CT).
“Our team competed and never gave up tonight,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We gave up a bad goal early on but we didn’t let that keep us from trying to win the game. We did what we needed to do to come from behind. I give all the credit to our team; we had a lot of players step up tonight.”
The competitive match went back and forth right from the start. It would be LSU that would get on the scoreboard first though, with a goal in the 21st minute of play for a 1-0 Tiger lead. Off a corner kick from Amanda Carreno, LSU’s Rachel Yepez was able to settle and play a cross into the box that found the head of Chelsea Potts, who knocked in a shot from inside the six-yard box for a goal. It was her first of the year and only the second time of the season that the Gamecocks had allowed a goal in the first half of play. Both teams would finish the first half with four shots apiece.
“LSU is a tremendous team with so much talent,” said Smith. “We didn’t stop playing and didn’t stop competing. We had to defend a lot because they were so good at possession. When we put them under pressure we were able to play and put the ball in dangerous situations.”
It would take most of the second half for the Gamecocks to get the equalizer as both teams battled. A foul called on a LSU defender would set up the first goal for Carolina, as the Gamecocks were awarded a direct kick just above the “18” yard box. From near the center of the box, Ashley Kirk was able to direct a well placed shot to the right corner of the goal past LSU keeper Valerie Vogler to tie the match at one apiece.”
“I’m very proud for Ashley she had a feeling she was going to score tonight and her dreams came true today,” said Smith. It was a big lift for her to step up and score for us.”
The dreams for Kirk would come true in the second overtime of play at 103:29 in the match as the Gamecocks again took advantage off a set piece. USC defender Kimmy Gillespie played a deep ball into the six-yard box that was directed back by USC’s Blakely Mattern. With the ball just outside 10 yards, Kirk was able to react and pounce on the ball and knock a shot that found the back of the net for the game-winner.
“It was a tough match tonight,” said Kirk. “We started off slow but picked it up in the second half. We knew this was a huge game for us, defending our home and we didn’t want to lose here at our home field.” USC would finish with an 11-10 shot advantage on the evening with LSU coming away with a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. LSU keeper Valerie Vogler had five saves for the Tigers with Laura Armstrong making four saves for the Gamecocks.
“When you win games like that, when you come from behind it makes a big difference,” said Coach Smith. “We left it all on the field and the team deserved the win. We hope to continue that in the next two games.”
Following Sunday’s match at Arkansas, the Gamecocks will conclude the regular season at home on Friday, Oct. 27 vs. the Florida Gators.
