Oct. 1, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina women’s soccer team hits the road to face Arkansas in an SEC match-up at Razorback Field. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET from Fayetteville, Ark. and the match is available on SEC Network +.
Leading the Nation
Through seven games at Stone Stadium, the Gamecocks are leading the nation in home attendance with 23,473 total fans. South Carolina’s average of 3,353 per contest ranks second in the nation. The Gamecocks sold 1,000 season tickets for the first time in program history. (Men and women’s soccer season tickets are sold together as one ticket)
Atop The SEC
The Gamecocks are in first place in the SEC, boasting a perfect 4-0-0 conference record. South Carolina is the only team that remains undefeated in league action.
Offense on Fire
Through 11 games this season South Carolina has scored 31 goals compared to last year’s squad that netted 32 all season. The Gamecocks have had 15 different goal scorers, which is the most of any SEC school.
In the Rankings
The Gamecocks are No. 10 in this week’s NSCAA rankings, No. 11 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com poll and ranked eight by Soccer America. South Carolina moved up six spots to No. 12 in the latest RPI released by the NCAA.
Eight is Great
The Gamecocks are riding an eight-game winning streak heading into this weekend. South Carolina won 11 consecutive games in 2009 and went unbeaten for 14 games that same year.
By The Numbers
South Carolina holds a 186-69 shot advantage over opponents through 11 games. The Gamecocks have put 95 of 186 shots on target, compared to opponents getting just 27 shots on goal. South Carolina averages 16.9 shots per game and is outscoring opponents 31-9.
South Carolina’s 31 goals and 90 points rank second in the SEC. The Gamecocks also rank second in the conference goals per game (2.82 and their 186 shots are the fourth most in the league. South Carolina is tied for third in fewest goals allowed with nine and has the fifth best goals against average (0.81).
In SEC contests the Gamecocks have allowed the fewest goals in the league with two and have the lowest goals against average of 0.50. South Carolina ranks third in shots (61), points (25) and goals (9).
Scouting Arkansas
The Razorbacks are 5-6-0 on the year and 1-3-0 in the SEC after defeating Georgia 2-1 and suffering a 2-1 loss at Kentucky. Junior midfielder Claire Kelley and senior forward Ashleigh Ellenwood lead the team with five goals apiece. Junior goalkeeper has played the majority of minutes for the Razorbacks, allowing 10 goals with a goals against average of 1.42 and making 21 saves.
Series History
South Carolina leads the all-time series with Arkansas 11-3-2. The Gamecocks won the last meeting (9/23/15), 1-0 on a goal from Raina Johnson.
175
The Gamecocks’ 3-1 victory over Georgia on Sept. 11 was Head Coach Shelley Smith 175th win at South Carolina. With the Gamecocks’ victory over Alabama she has 179 wins at South Carolina and 220 in her career.
McCaskill In The Lead
Forward Savannah McCaskill leads South Carolina in goals (8), points (19), shots (27), and shots on goal (16). The sophomore has also tallied three assists. She is tied for fourth in the SEC in goals and tied for fifth in points. McCaskill, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2014, has already surpassed her scoring output of five goals from her rookie campaign.
Assisted By Drennan
Junior midfielder Chelsea Drennan has recorded a team-high seven assists. Her 26 career assists rank second all-time in school history and she just seven shy of the school record (33).
Johnson Wins The Game
Senior forward Raina Johnson netted the game-winner in both of South Carolina’s matches last week. Johnson scored in the 89th minute to break a 1-1 tie in the Gamecocks’ 2-1 victory over No. 4 Texas A&M on Thursday and opened scoring in the sixth minute in a 3-0 win over Alabama on Sunday. Her two game-winning against SEC opponents goals put her in a tie for first in the league.
Two For Groff
Junior forward Sophie Groff scored a pair of goals in two games this season (Coastal Carolina and Kennesaw State), including a game-winner in both contests. Groff also scored in the Gamecocks 3-0 win over Alabama. Her six goals this season rank 10th in the SEC and in conference matches she is tied for fourth with six points and two goals.
Rookies Are Rolling
Newcomers Carrie Lawrence, Courtney Kaplan and Simone Wark have found the back of the net early in their freshman campaigns, each tallying a goal this season. Wark scored the game-winner in the Gamecocks’ 1-0 win at Missouri and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors for her efforts.
Room For Two
Senior Caroline Kelly and sophomore Abbey Crider have split time in the net this season. Crider is perfect 5-0-0 on the year with two shutouts. She has made eight saves and has a goals against average of 0.83. Kelly is 5-1-0 on the year with one shutout. She has made nine saves and has a goals against average of 0.77. In SEC contests, Kelly and Crider rank first and second, respectively, with goals against averages of 0.00 and 0.80. The pair are two of just seven goalkeepers to record a shutout against a conference opponent.
Clean Sheet
After recording just one shutout in their first seven matches, the Gamecocks have now tallied clean sheets in three of their last four games.
It’s A First
Sophomores Anna Conklin and Dominique Babbitt and junior Kaleigh Kurtz have all scored their first career goal this season.
The Fast Lane
Sophomore midfielder Lindsey Lane netted the game winner in the Gamecocks’ double overtime victory over Oklahoma. Three of Lane’s four career goals have been game- winners.
Gray For The Win
Senior defender Caroline Gray scored the game-winner in South Carolina’s season opener against Northeastern; the goal was the first of her career.
Up Next
The Gamecocks return home on Thurs., Oct. 8 to host No. 8 Auburn at Stone Stadium. The match is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on the SEC Network.
