Oct. 16, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 8 South Carolina women’s soccer team suffered its first home loss of the season on Friday, falling to Vanderbilt, 2-1, in overtime at Stone Stadium. The Gamecocks (11-3-1) moved to 5-2-1 in Southeastern Conference play with the setback, while the Commodores (7-5-4) improved to 3-2-3 in the SEC following the victory.
Junior forward Simone Charley provided the game-winner for the Commodores in the 97th minute after the Gamecocks were caught on the counterattack. Charley gathered the ball at midfield and raced into the attacking third with just South Carolina goalkeeper Caroline Kelly to beat. Her shot sent the ball into the left corner of the net past a diving Kelly.
South Carolina senior forward Raina Johnson and the Gamecocks opened the scoring in the 27th minute following a series of successful passes. Junior midfielder Chelsea Drennan found some space in the attacking third and threaded a pass to sophomore Savannah McCaskill near the right side of the box. The South Carolina forward’s cross in front of net connected with the outstretched leg of Johnson, who tallied her fifth goal of the season.
Vanderbilt drew even with South Carolina out of the break following forward Taylor Elliot’s third goal of the season in the 46th minute. Elliot found the back of the net from the top of the box, as she fired the ball into the top half of the goal past Kelly.
The Gamecocks produced several scoring opportunities in the second half, starting in the 60th minute on a set piece. McCaskill’s free kick from well outside the box floated near the net and forced Vanderbilt goalkeeper Christiana Ogunsami to make an awkward save at the goal line.
In the 75th minute, junior forward Bay Daniel’s volley into the left side of the box found Courtney Kaplan, who gathered the pass and took aim at net. Her shot missed wide right, and Vanderbilt earned a goal kick. South Carolina boasted a 20-3 shot advantage in regulation, and Kelly recorded one save as she fell to 5-2-1 on the season.
GAME CHANGER
Charley’s game-winner in the first overtime period lifted the Commodores past the Gamecocks. Her goal marked Vanderbilt’s fourth shot of the match.
KEY STAT After registering just six shots in Sunday’s loss to Ole Miss, the Gamecocks tallied 22 attempts against Vanderbilt. South Carolina totaled eight shots on goal in the contest.
NOTABLES
- Friday’s result marked South Carolina’s first overtime loss of the season. The Gamecocks entered the match with a 1-0-1 record in games decided in extra time in 2015.
- South Carolina’s goal in the 27th minute snapped a scoreless streak of over 400 minutes for Vanderbilt opponents. It was the first goal conceded by the Commodores since their draw against Tennessee on Sept. 27.
- With another assist on Friday, McCaskill surpassed her total (5) from last season. Her six assists this season rank second among Gamecocks.
- South Carolina saw its six-game unbeaten streak against the Commodores snapped following the loss. The Gamecocks are now 4-14-5 all-time against Vanderbilt.
QUOTABLE South Carolina Head Coach Shelley Smith
We had plenty of chances to score again and put the game away, but we couldn’t capitalize. Vanderbilt was able to make the most of their chances. We have to be better at finding the back of the net.
UP NEXT
South Carolina returns to action on Thursday (Oct. 22) when it faces No. 13 Florida on the road at Donald R. Dizney stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match can be seen on the SEC Network.
