Oct. 19, 2012
LEXINGTON, KY. – South Carolina (5-8-4, 2-6-3) fell to Kentucky (11-5-1,6-4-1) in SEC play on Friday night. Kentucky forward Arin Gilliland scored in the 37th minute.
The Gamecocks were led by sophomore forward Lani Smith with two of the team’s six shots on the night. Junior forward Rae Wilson registered one shot in the match, which was South Carolina’s only shot on goal. Despite the lone goal, which was the result of a deflection, Sabrina D’Angelo held strong in the net, recording five saves during the match.
Kentucky tallied 11 shots on the night, with six of them coming on goal. Gilliland led all players with four shots, followed by forward Caitlin Landis who notched three shots, with two coming on goal. Goalkeeper Kayla King recorded one save in the shutout.
South Carolina created the first opportunity of the match in the tenth minute when Rae Wilson sent a ball into the frame. King was able to deflect the shot to keep the game scoreless.
Gilliland nearly struck first on a header for the Wildcats when she was on the receiving end of a Kennedy Collier ball, but she pushed it just wide of the post. The forward was able to break the tie in the 37th minute when she found the back of the near-side net after a deflection off Andie Romness’ foot. The goal gave Kentucky a 1-0 advantage.
Kentucky registered the first shot of the second half in the 48th minute. D’Angelo saved the shot from Landis’ foot, but the Wildcats would continue to test the South Carolina keeper. In the 66th minute, Landis fired a shot in on goal which the D’Angelo was able to save again. Just a minute later, forward Cara Ledman created another good opportunity that just sailed wide.
The Gamecocks attempted to equalize the match in the 81st minute on a free kick that was taken by sophomore defender Christa Neary from 30 yards out. The ball sailed just over the cross bar.
In the 86th minute, the Gamecocks were penalized for a handball in the box. The foul gave Kentucky a penalty kick, which Gilliland took. D’Angelo was able to make a diving save to her right to keep the score 1-0.
The Gamecocks complete their final road trip of the regular season on Sunday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when they face the Crimson Tide. The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m ET.
