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Sept. 27, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery media-icon-photogallery.gif

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Paced by first half goals from forwards Raina Johnson and Savannah McCaskill, the No. 17 South Carolina women’s soccer team (10-1-0, 4-0-0 SEC) pushed its winning streak to eight games with a 3-0 victory over Alabama (4-6-2, 1-3-0 SEC) on Sunday night at Stone Stadium.

Johnson, who tallied the game-winner in Thursday’s win over No. 4 Texas A&M, notched her third goal of the season in the sixth minute to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 advantage. Forward Sophie Groff provided the assist, as the junior threaded a through ball to Johnson, who charged into the box and flicked a shot past Alabama goalkeeper Emily Rusk.

South Carolina saw its lead grow to two less than 10 minutes later when junior midfielder Chelsea Drennan sent in a cross from the left side of the box. Her pass deflected off a Crimson Tide defender in front of the Alabama net and fell to the feet of McCaskill. The Gamecocks’ top scorer quickly gathered the loose ball and guided it into the left corner of the net for her eighth goal of the season.

The Gamecocks added a third goal early in the second half, scoring on a corner kick in the 55th minute. Drennan again provided the service, as her cross found Groff, and the junior headed the ball into the left side of the net past Rusk.

The South Carolina defense continued its strong play, and Alabama was held to just two shots in the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Abbey Crider earned her second shutout of the season and moved to 5-0 on the season with the victory.

GAME CHANGER

South Carolina finished the match with a 17-2 shot advantage. The Gamecocks put seven shots on target.

KEY STAT

South Carolina finished the match with a 17-2 shot advantage. The Gamecocks put seven shots on target.

NOTABLES

  • South Carolina is the only SEC school unbeaten (4-0-0) in league play this season. The Gamecocks have outscored conference opponents, 9-2, in 2015.
  • After recording just one shutout in their first seven matches, the Gamecocks have now tallied clean sheets in three of their last four games.
  • Sunday’s win pushed South Carolina’s unbeaten streak against Alabama to seven games. The Gamecocks improved to 13-4-1 all-time against the Crimson Tide following the victory.
  • With an assist in the 55th minute, Drennan now has the sole claim second place in program history with 25 career assists.

QUOTABLE South Carolina Head Coach Shelley Smith

We have a lot of pride playing on our home field, and we know every game is important. Coming off such a great win on Thursday, we wanted to continue that momentum. I was really proud of our effort tonight. Raina Johnson has stepped up, and it was nice to see her get rewarded again tonight with another goal.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks resume SEC play on Friday when they face Arkansas on the road at Razorback Field. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. ET.