Sept. 2, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s soccer (4-0-0) continues to rise in the polls after a weekend sweep of No. 22 Boston University and Milwaukee to capture the Garnet & Black Classic title. With just over 190 minutes of scoreless soccer in Stone Stadium last weekend, senior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office today.
Rankings Update
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) moved the Gamecocks up to No. 9 in this week’s poll, TopDrawerSoccer.com has South Carolina at No. 7, and Soccer America jumped Shelley Smith’s team from No. 20 to No. 11 after the weekend’s results.
On Friday, a dramatic double-overtime match against No. 22 Boston University ended with a score from junior Raina Johnson for a golden-goal 1-0 win. On Sunday, South Carolina captured head coach Shelley Smith’s 200th career victory with a 2-0 decision over Milwaukee. Sophomore Sophie Groff, who assisted on Johnson’s game-winner over Boston University, netted a pair of goals in the contest and senior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo stopped a Milwaukee penalty kick to keep the Gamecocks’ shutout streak alive.
South Carolina is the only team in the SEC that has yet to surrender a point and has allowed just 11 shots all season.
D’Angelo Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
When faced with a Milwaukee penalty kick Sunday, D’Angelo kept the South Carolina shutout streak alive with a diving save to her right. The save ignited a run that led to the Gamecocks’ first goal of the day less than three minutes later. D’Angelo notched her 22nd and 23rd career shutouts against #22 Boston University and Milwaukee over the weekend as the Gamecocks extended their home win streak to a program-best 14, captured head coach Shelley Smith’s 200th career victory and won the Garnet & Black Classic Title. The Gamecocks are the only SEC team to not allow a goal this season.
A five-game home stand concludes this weekend with matches against rival Clemson on Fri., Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. and High Point on Sun., Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.
