Sep 5, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C.– South Carolina women’s soccer splits up their schedule this weekend, traveling to Clemson on Friday at 5:30 p.m., to renew the Palmetto State rivalry before returning back to Columbia to host SMU on Sunday at 1 p.m.

WEEKEND INFORMATION
Date/Opponent: Friday, Sept. 6, 2013 at Clemson
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET
Live Stats | ESPN3
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Stadium: Riggs Field

Date/Opponent: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 vs. SMU
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
| Free Live VideoLocation: Columbia, S.C.
Stadium: Stone StadiumTickets: Tickets

@GamecockWSoccer | Gamecock Women’s Soccer on Facebook

Game Notes

On the Horizon
After this weekend, the Gamecocks will have only two more non-conference matchups before the start of the SEC season at Georgia on Sept. 20. Next week, South Carolina will host South Florida on Thursday and East Carolina on Sunday.

Scouting Clemson
Like the Gamecocks, the Tigers only lost two starters from the 2012 squad. Clemson has scored two goals this season, yet hasn’t dropped a game, recording draws against Auburn and South Florida. The Tigers picked up their only win of the year against Furman.

Clemson holds a four-game lead in the series at 7-11-0, but the Gamecocks have won six of the last nine dating back to 2004. Until last season’s 1-0 overtime loss, South Carolina had a four-match win streak in the series. Senior Danielle Au tallied the game-winner for the Gamecocks’ last win in 2011.

Scouting SMU
The Mustangs have been scoring goals in bunches this season, totaling 12 in their first three games against Arkansas, Colorado State and Louisiana-Monroe, winning matches 6-1 and 4-0 against ULM and CSU, respectively, while falling 3-2 to Arkansas in overtime. Despite the goals, SMU was shutout in its more recent contest at No. 11 Baylor.

This marks the first time in program history that the Gamecocks will square off with the Mustangs.

Defensive Wall
Through four games the Gamecocks are the only team in the SEC to not allow a goal this season, and are only one of a handful of teams across the country to achieve the feat. The streak is currently at 380 minutes.

Canadian Stopper
Junior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo has already matched her season-best shutout total as she earned her fourth of the season against Northeastern. D’Angelo recorded four as a freshman before tallying three last year. She currently ranks fourth all-time at South Carolina in the category.

Pacing the Offense
Striker Danielle Au added to her team-leading goal total against Northeastern as the senior scored her third of the season in a 3-0 win against the Huskies.

Freshmen Impact
Through two games, the stellar 2013 recruiting class, which included five four-star recruits, is already making its presence felt. Midfielders Chelsea Drennan and Daija Griffin have both made the presence felt on the offensive end. Although neither have found the back of the net yet, their delivers have led to game-winning goals. Drennan currently leads the team with three assists, while Griffin is right behind her with two. Forward Sophie Groff, who has started three of the Gamecocks’ four games alongside Drennan, netted her first collegiate goal at Northeastern. It was also the first game-winner of her career.

Flexing Their Muscles
The Gamecocks have yet to back down from opponents and have proven to be one of the most physical teams in the SEC as they average 12.50 fouls per game, the second most in the conference, despite only receiving one caution. That physical play has helped lead the defensive stranglehold the team has had on its opponents this season.