Sept. 12, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Danila Monteiro and Erin Sullivan both scored two goals as the No. 13 South Carolina women’s soccer team defeated Winthrop, 5-0, Wednesday night at Stone Stadium. With the win, the Gamecocks improve to 5-0 while the loss drops the Eagles to 0-2-2.
Carolina improves its home unbeaten streak to 13 games, dating back to the start of last season. In both victories at home this season, the Gamecocks have scored five goals with Wednesday’s game matching a 5-2 victory against East Tennessee State on Sept. 3.
“We weren’t making silly mistakes, and we were making good decision on the ball,” head coach Shelley Smith said. “That led to a lot of scoring opportunities for us and we weren’t giving them other chances on the other end. I was pleased with our offensive and defensive performance.”
Monteiro (Sao Paolo, Brazil), celebrating her 21st birthday Wednesday, took a play from Ashley Kirk (Macon, Ga.) in the 14th minute to knock a direct shot from six yards out into the center of the net for the game-winner. Monteiro and Kirk again teamed up for the second goal of the game in the 55th minute when Kirk’s pass was headed by Monteiro into the back left of the net.
“Dani went in hoping that she’d score for her birthday and for us to get the win for her birthday, so she got her birthday wish,” Smith said. “She’s as happy as anyone to get that win. It was a great team effort.”
Sullivan (Augusta, Ga.) then took over, booting a cross from Samantha Diaz-Matosas (Lilburn, Ga.) to score her first goal in the 57th minute. Four minutes later, Sullivan drove 15 yards up-field before booting another shot from 15 yards out that again found the left side of the net for the score.
Monica Hogan (Peachtree City, Ga.) registered Carolina’s final goal in the 87th minute, courtesy of a cross by Kacie Brewer (Merritt Island, Fla.) from 15 yards out. The score was the first of the season for Hogan and the second of her career while Brewer notched her first career points.
Sullivan’s goal total increases to four on the season and Monteiro moves to three in her first year for the Gamecocks. Sullivan came close to recording the second hat trick of her career with one shot clanging off the cross bar and another deflected in the first half on a misplayed Winthrop kick back.
Laura Armstrong picked up the win in goal for Carolina, improving her record to 1-0-0 on the season. The shutout moves her into a tie with Carrie Warner for second place on the South Carolina all-time goaltending list with nine shutouts.
Winthrop came out quickly in the first meeting between the two South Carolina teams, getting a quick shot on goal 53 seconds into the match. However it was the Gamecocks that would control the rest of the match, holding a 26-2 shot advantage for the match. Eighteen of Carolina’s attempts were on target as 11 Gamecocks registered a shot on goal.
The Gamecock defense stymied Winthrop in the second half, preventing the Eagles from attempting a shot. Carolina recorded a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
“I’m really pleased with the second half performance,” Smith said. “I don’t think we came out as strong as we would’ve liked. We didn’t play to the best of our ability. The fact that the team was able to take what we talked about at halftime, apply it on the field and be able to finish their opportunities, they did an excellent job. A lot of people contributed. We had a lot of different people scoring, and that’s the nice thing. Our depth is coming through and you can rely on some other people to step forward when they are asked to be on the field.”
South Carolina returns to action this weekend when they participate in the Carolinas’ Cup held in Charlotte. The Gamecocks kickoff against UNC-Charlotte Friday at 7 p.m. and conclude against Furman Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
