Sept. 11, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After getting into the Top 25 of all major rankings for the first time this season, and earning the program’s highest ranking since the end of the 2009 season (No. 9 – SoccerAmerica), the Gamecocks take an undefeated record into its final two games of the non-conference season against South Florida on Thursday at 7 p.m., and East Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.
WEEKEND INFORMATION
Date/Opponent: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 vs. South Florida
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
| Free Live Video
Date/Opponent: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 vs. East Carolina
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
| Free Live Video
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Stadium: Stone StadiumTickets: Tickets
@GamecockWSoccer | Gamecock Women’s Soccer on Facebook
Operation Hat Trick
At Sunday’s soccer match the starting lineup for the Gamecock women’s soccer team will present both active service members and veterans who have been wounded with one of the Operation Hat Trick (OHT) hats. Also members of the coaching staff and administration will also be wearing OHT caps on Sunday. OHT is dedicated to the memory of Nate Hardy and Mike Koch, two Navy Seals who fought together, died together in 2008 and are buried together in Arlington National Cemetery. The name Operation Hat Trick comes from the initial focus on camps to benefit the military and a proceed of all hats sold goes to the veteran’s administration medical center’s general post fund. Operation Hat Trick has created three special Gamecock caps that can be purchased at local retailers around Columbia.
On the Horizon
With the conclusion of the non-conference season this weekend, the Gamecocks will open up SEC play on Aug. 20 at Georgia at 7 p.m.
Scouting South Florida
Like the Gamecocks, the Bulls enter Thursday’s contest with an undefeated record at 4-0-2 after a pair of 1-0 wins last weekend against Middle Tennessee State and North Florida. With 14 goals on the offensive end, USF has been stout defensively, allowing only two goals this year while three different keepers have seen the field.
The Bulls are led in scoring by sophomore midfielder Olivia Chance who has three goals and an assist, while junior striker Demi Stokes is right behind her with two goals and two assists.
Scouting East Carolina
The Pirates sit at 2-2-2 on the year and are coming off of a 1-1 draw at home against George Washington. Two days earlier, ECU fell 3-2 to UNC-Wilmington after giving up the game-tying goal in the 62nd minute and the game-winner in the 65th minute.
No one has scored more than one goal for them, but eight different players have found the back of the net. Freshman forward Lana Spitler leads the team in points with five after tallying three assists.
Gaining National Attention
This week, the Gamecocks found themselves returning back to the Top 10 in SoccerAmerica’s weekly rankings for the first time since the end of the 2009 season. Off to a fast start during the non-conference season, including a 1-0 win over then-No. 7 Duke, Carolina’s 5-0-1 record earned them a spot in at No. 9 in the publication’s Top 25 this week, up two spots from the previous two weeks after beginning the season unranked. It is only the sixth time in program history that the team has earned a Top 10 ranking from SoccerAmerica.
Defensive Wall
The Gamecocks backline has been one of the best in the country through the early part of the season, whether it has been with their physical play, potential goal-saving blocks, the group has allowed only one goal on 53 shots through six games. As a team, Carolina is ranks tied for first in shutouts (5), tied for fourth in shutout percentage (.833) and goals against average (.161) and tied for fifth in save percentage (.950) in the NCAA.
Canadian Stopper
After a tough sophomore season after returning from the U-20 World Cup, goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo is back at her best this season as she currently ranks as one of the top keepers in the nation. The native of Welland, Ontario, is tied with four other keepers for the nation’s lead in shutouts at five, while she is also tied for eighth in goals against average (.161) and is tenth in save percentage (.947). Her five shutouts has already topped her season-best shutout total as she earned her fifth of the season against SMU after stopping a potential game-tying penalty kick in the 66th minute. D’Angelo’s previous high was four as a freshman before tallying three last year. She currently ranks fourth all-time at South Carolina in the category with 12.
Pacing the Offense
Striker Danielle Au was the catalyst for the offense at the beginning of the season, scoring game-winners in the team’s first two games, while adding another against Northeastern, but sophomore midfielder Raina Johnson has taken over as of late, tallying goals in each of the last three games, including the eventual game-winner at Clemson. The duo lead the team with three goals apiece.
