Aug. 22, 2010
BROOKLINE, Mass. – Two Gamecocks earned their first career goals, and the team earned another courtesy of an own goal, to lead No. 12 South Carolina to a 3-0 shutout of Northeastern Sunday at the newly resurfaced Parson’s Field. The Gamecocks improve to 2-0-0 while Northeastern drops to 0-1-0 in its home opener.
Freshman Gabrielle Gilbert hit the game-winning goal at 10:26 and redshirt sophomore Ali Glemser hit the second goal at 32:55 to score for Carolina. Northeastern gave up the final goal at 81:12 after the goalkeeper mishandled the ball from her own teammate following a shot by Maria Petroni.
For the second consecutive game, the Gamecocks ended a home unbeaten streak by topping the Huskies who went undefeated on their home pitch in 2009 and had not lost at Parsons Field since October 2008. In Friday’s victory, South Carolina ended a 20-game Boston University home winning streak.
Senior Mollie Patton earned her second straight shutout to begin the season while tying her career best with eight saves in the game. She now sits nine shutouts away from tying the SEC record for career solo shutouts (33).
Carolina’s first look of the game came in the fifth minute when a Brittiny Rhoades corner kick found Ellen Fahey’s head in front of the net, but the ball went wide right to prevent the threat. The Gamecocks were able to get on the board at 10:26 when a flurry in front of the net resulted in the goal by Gilbert. Brooke Jacobs sent a cross into the box that resulted in two blocked shots before Gilbert was able to get the rebound off a Kayla Grimsley shot to score her first career goal. The assist was the second of the weekend for Grimsley, a Hermann Trophy candidate as a junior.
Twenty minutes later, Glemser grabbed her first career points after taking the ball at midfield from a Lolly Holland header. Glemser broke past the defenders and beat the keeper to get off a shot that hit the post and rebounded back to her for the goal at 32:55.
In the second half, the Gamecocks were able to use different lineups and get experience for seven freshmen as the team controlled possession throughout the half and ended with an 8-6 shot advantage for the stanza. Carolina’s best look came in the 55th minute when another Jacobs cross landed near Grimsley, who took a shot from 10 yards out that was blocked in a scrum in front of the net.
The final goal came at 81:12 when Northeastern goalkeeper Sarah Fylak mishandled a ball and saw it roll into the back of her net.
South Carolina heads home next weekend when the team hosts the Gamecock Courtyard Cup at Stone Stadium. Louisville will be the home opening opponent Friday at 7:30 p.m. to start a six-game home stand for Carolina.
