Aug. 7, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina women’s soccer team began preseason camp on Wednesday with the first official practice of the 2013 campaign. The team began the day with fitness testing before spending 90 minutes on the surface at Stone Stadium, which included warmup drills, goalkeeper work and full field action.
Head coach Shelley Smith enters her 13th season at the helm of the Gamecock program this fall. Following the opening practice of preseason camp, Smith commented on the team’s fitness level and the competitive edge to the camp.
“The team really came into preseason camp fit and prepared,” Smith said. “We’re thrilled with the way that they put things together this summer. Where we are starting from, you couldn’t ask for a better situation to have so many players healthy, ready to go, fit and with great attitudes. It is competitive. It is probably the most competitive preseason we have had here at South Carolina. The numbers alone, but the talent, the amount of returning players that have done work through the past year since we ended last fall to come back and be better and improve the program, and to have talented freshmen come in. It will take them a little bit of time to learn the system and gel with the returning players, but there is already promising play from our young players and our returners look good.”
Among those returning players is junior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, a second-team All-SEC honoree last season. With two years to play, D’Angelo is third all-time in South Carolina history in career saves with 130, sixth in career shutouts with 7 and third in goals against average at 0.99. Senior forward Danielle Au is the team’s top returning goal threat after pacing the squad last season with four goals on the year.
The Gamecocks continue preseason camp with a practice session on Wednesday evening. Stay tuned to GamecocksOnline.com for updates throughout the preseason.
South Carolina begins the 2013 campaign with an exhibition contest at College of Charleston on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Game time for the match is set for 4 p.m. ET.
