Sept. 19, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After completing the non-conference season undefeated for the first time since 2009, remaining unbeaten through the first eight games for only the third time in program history, and earning the program’s highest ranking since the end of the 2009 season (No. 8 – SoccerAmerica), the Gamecocks head to Athens, Ga., on Friday night to open SEC play at 7 p.m.
WEEKEND INFORMATION
Date/Opponent: Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 at Georgia
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
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Location: Athens, Ga.
Stadium: UGA Soccer Stadium
On the Horizon
The Gamecocks will return to the two-game per weekend schedule next week as they will return to Stone Stadium for the SEC home opener against Auburn on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., followed by Arkansas on Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.
Scouting Georgia
The Bulldogs enter conference play on a seven-game winning streak after dropping their season opener 2-0 at Texas. Last weekend, they shut out Long Beach State 1-0 on Friday before dispatching College of Charleston 5-1.
Senior Caitlin Woody has been one the top goalkeepers in the country throughout the early part of the season, allowing only three goals in eight games, while posting six shutouts. Freshman forward Marion Crowder leads the Bulldog attack with 13 points (6 goals, 1 assist) after posting a four-goal game against College of Charleston.
South Carolina is 5-13-3 all-time against Georgia and have only one victory in Athens in program history, a 1-0 win on Oct. 15, 1999. The Gamecocks won last year’s contest in Columbia as Gabrielle Gilbert scored the game’s only goal in the 21st minute.
Gaining National Attention
With another pair of victories last week, the Gamecocks moved up one spot in SoccerAmerica’s Top 25 this week to No. 8, the program’s highest ranking since the end the 2009 season. Off to a fast start during the non-conference season, including a 1-0 win over then-No. 7 Duke that earned them a spot at No. 11 after Week 1 (unranked to open the season), the Gamecocks have been steadily moving up in all national rankings. Currently the team is ranked No. 17 by NSCAA, No. 19 by TopDrawerSoccer, No. 13 by SoccerTimes and No. 23 by OurGameMagazine.
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 66 shots through eight games. As a team, Carolina ranks tied for first in shutouts (7), second in save percentage (.962) tied for second in shutout percentage (.875) and third in goals against average (.122) in the NCAA.
Canadian Stopper
After a tough sophomore season after returning from the U-20 World Cup, junior 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 one other keeper for the nation’s lead in shutouts at seven, while she is also second in goals against average (.122) and save percentage (.960).
D’Angelo’s seven shutouts has already topped her season-best total. She passed her previous best of four against SMU after stopping a potential game-tying penalty kick in the 66th minute. With 14 shutouts in her career, she is one away from being tied for second all-time in South Carolina history.
