Aug. 23, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore midfielder Lindsey Lane tallied the game-winner in the 106th minute to lift the No. 11 Gamecocks to a 2-1 win over Oklahoma on Sunday night at Stone Stadium. The victory improved South Carolina’s record to 2-0 on the year, while the Sooners fell to 0-2.
Lane’s goal came after the Gamecocks were awarded a free kick following an Oklahoma foul in the attacking third. Sophomore forward Savannah McCaskill drew the foul, and her free kick into the box deflected off the hands of Oklahoma keeper Kassidie Stade. Lane gathered the loose ball and calmly slipped the ball into the right side of the net past multiple defenders.
South Carolina freshman forward Courtney Kaplan’s first career goal opened the scoring in the 37th minute following a great cross from junior forward Daija Griffin. Griffin used her speed to find some space in the right side of the attacking third and send a pass into the center of the box to Kaplan, who buried a header past Stade. The goal marked the fifth career assist for Griffin.
Oklahoma’s equalizer came in the 85th minute following a goal by forward Liz Keester. Keester found herself on the receiving end of a pass into the box, flicking a header into the right corner of the net past Kelly.
Neither team generated many quality scoring chances in the early going, combining for just six shots in the first 45 minutes. The Gamecocks put two shots on frame and finished with four attempts in the first half, while both of the Sooners two shot attempts didn’t require a save from Kelly.
The Gamecocks nearly netted the game-winner in the final minute of regulation after senior forward Raina Johnson curled in a cross from the left side of the box. Her pass just sailed over the head of Kaplan, and South Carolina was unable to threaten on the ensuing corner kick.
Oklahoma produced the best scoring chance in the first period of extra time when a through pass found Emily Parker in the right side of the box. The forward’s shot attempt was deflected by a South Carolina defender, and the danger was cleared.
The Sooners finished with just two shots on target, and South Carolina boasted an 11-8 shot advantage on the night. The Gamecocks attempted five corner kicks in the match.
Game Changer
Lane’s goal was the difference, as the midfielder was able to corral the loose ball in the box and find the back of the net with less than five minutes left in the match. The goal was the third of her career and her third game-winner.
Key Stat
For the second straight match, the Gamecocks held their opponent to less than three shots on target. South Carolina opponents have put just four shots on frame in 2015.
Notables
>> The Gamecocks are now unbeaten in each of their last 12 overtime matches during regular season play. South Carolina sports a record of 5-0-7 in those 12 contests.
>> Six South Carolina players have now found the back of the net in 2015 following goals from Kaplan and Lane on Sunday.
>> All six of the Gamecocks’ goals this season have been assisted. Midfielder Chelsea Drennan leads all South Carolina players with two assists this season.
>> Caroline Kelly earned her second straight victory after getting her first career start for the Gamecocks against the Sooners. The senior has allowed just one goal in just over 150 minutes of action this year.
Quotable
South Carolina Head Coach Shelley Smith
I thought we played hard and stuck with it. We responded well after giving up a late goal, and I do like the way we came back and got the win. We’ll learn from this, and it will make us better going into the next weekend.
Up Next
South Carolina continues regular season play on Friday (Aug. 28) when it faces in-state rival Clemson on the road. Kick-off against the Tigers is set for 5 p.m. ET.
