Nov. 5, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the second straight week, South Carolina ranks in the Top 10 in the NSCCA rankings, coming in at No. 9. It’s the first time in program history that the Gamecocks head into the postseason ranked in the NSCAA’s Top 10. Carolina will face Georgia in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday at the Orange Beach Sportsplex at 3:30 p.m. ET.
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Opponent: Wednesday, Nov. 6, vs. (6) Georgia
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Live Stats | Free Live Video
Location: Orange Beach, Ala.
Stadium:Orange Beach Sportsplex
Scouting Georgia
The Bulldogs enter the game winning two of their last three, picking up road wins at LSU and Arkansas before falling 5-1 in the regular-season finale to No. 6 Florida. Marion Crowder leads the Georgia attack with 11 goals while Madeline Barker has chipped in 8. Nikki Hill leads the team in assists with six. Goalkeeper Caitlin Woody currently leads the SEC with 11 shutouts.
All-Time vs. Georgia
South Carolina is 5-14-3 all-time against Georgia, falling in three of its last four. Prior to a 2-0 result in favor of Georgia on Sept. 20, each game dating back to 2008 have by decided by a goal or less.
Rematch vs. Georgia
Despite holding a 17-9 edge in shots and controlling possession throughout, the Gamecocks fell at Georgia earlier this season 2-0 after allowing goals in the 8th and 32nd minute.
Rolling Through the Regular Season
With a record of 15-2-2, the 2013 Gamecocks narrowly edged the 2009 squad for the best regular-season record in program history. The 2009 team ended the regular season with a record of 15-3-1 before winning the program’s first SEC Tournament championship, earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finishing with a program-best 19 wins.
Winning Close
After going 4-7-4 a year ago in games decided by a goal or less, this season’s team which lost only two seniors has reversed its fortune this year. Fourteen of the Gamecocks 19 games this season have been decided by a goal or less with the team going 11-1-2.
Playing in Orange Beach
In the last four season’s, the Gamecocks are 3-3-3 in the SEC Tournament, twice reaching the final. In 2009, South Carolina won its first two game before hoisting the trophy by topping LSU in PKs. The following year, the team advanced to the final by way of shootouts in its first two matches before falling to Florida. After being upset in the quarterfinals in 2011, last year’s squad reached the quarters with a win over Arkansas.
SEC’s Elite
On Nov. 4, junior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo was tabbed SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in her career after sharing the honor in 2011. The All-SEC selection was the third of her career. Also earning SEC honors was redshirt junior defender Taylor Leach who joined D’Angelo on the First Team, while midfielder Chelsea Drennan made the All-Freshmen Team.
