No. 3 South Carolina Earns 3-0 Home Victory Over High Point
Aug. 27, 2017
No. 3 Women’s Soccer vs. High Point
COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 3 South Carolina women’s soccer netted a season-high three goals en route to a 3-0 victory over High Point Sunday night at Stone Stadium. The Gamecocks (3-1-0) remained perfect (3-0-0) at home this year with the win, while High Point dropped to 2-2-0 overall following the loss.
Carolina freshmen Luciana Zullo and Sarah Eskew and sophomore forward Elexa Bahr each tallied a goal against the Panthers. The Gamecock defense also shined, and High Point ended the match with just three shot attempts.
Zullo opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when she gathered a pass from fellow freshman Breukelen Woodard from the right side of the box. The Flemington, N.J., native collected the service and spun away from a High Point defender before depositing the ball into the right side of the net. Zullo’s tally marked the first of her collegiate career, while Woodard earned her first point for Carolina after being credited with the assist.
The Gamecocks stretched the lead to 2-0 in the 43rd minute following a brilliant strike from Eskew. A deflection off the foot of Carolina senior striker Savannah McCaskill set up Eskew, who ripped the loose ball into the top left corner of the net from 19 yards out to push the advantage to two. The Centerville, Ga., native joined Zullo on the list of Gamecocks to register their first collegiate goal Sunday.
Carolina grabbed complete control of the match and extended its lead to 3-0 on Bahr’s third goal of the season in the 53rd minute. The Gamecock attacker showed tremendous effort on the scoring play, getting her head on forward Ryan Gareis’ cross from the left side. Her header flicked the ball up into the air before it landed in the right side of the net past Panther goalkeeper Alex Hank.
Bahr nearly netted her second goal of the night 13 minutes later when she collected a pass in the box. The Buford, Ga., native freed herself from multiple defenders and fired a well-hit shot that called for a diving save by Hank. Hank was again tested in the 73rd minute after Carolina earned a free kick from the left side of the attacking third. Gamecock senior midfielder Lindsey Lane’s service into the box connected with freshman forward Bianca Galassini, whose diving header at the far post was stopped by Hank to prevent another goal.
Carolina put on a defensive clinic throughout the match, holding the Panthers to two shots on goal. The Gamecocks boasted a commanding 20-3 shot advantage for the night and limited High Point to just two corner kicks. South Carolina sophomore goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski earned the win to move to 3-1-0 on the season, while freshman stopper Alexis McMullen made her debut in net when she entered the match in the 70th minute. McMullen made a pair of saves to preserve Carolina’s shutouts.
Other players who made their first career appearances for the Gamecocks included defenders Susan Kehl and Alexis Lainhart. With Sunday’s win, Carolina moved to 2-0-0 all-time against High Point.
QUOTABLE
“We understand these are great opponents, and there’s a reason they’re on our schedule. We want to play some top competition to prepare us for SEC play. We have a quality side, so we have to challenge ourselves. We’re prepared. This is a great opportunity for us to go on the road and play some top teams.” – South Carolina women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith on her team’s upcoming matches against Notre Dame and Michigan
GAMECHANGER
After an uneventful opening 30 minutes, the Gamecocks broke through when freshman Luciana Zullo scored from inside the box after receiving a pass from Breukelen Woodard. The goal resulted in Zullo’s first career game-winning tally.
KEY STAT
South Carolina’s defense limited the Panthers to just three shots and two attempts on frame in the match. Sunday marked the second time this season a Gamecock opponent was held to three or less shots on goal in a game.
NOTABLE
- South Carolina has outscored opponents 7-1 in its first three home matches of the 2017 season, earning clean sheets in two of the games.
- The Gamecocks have netted at least two goals in all of their first four games this season.
- Each of Gamecock sophomore attacker Elexa Bahr’s three goals this year have come at Stone Stadium. Her three tallies are tied with Carolina senior striker Savannah McCaskill for the team lead.
- With an assist on Carolina’s second goal Sunday, McCaskill moved two points away from 100 for her career. The Chapin, S.C., native will become the third player in school history to reach 100 points with another goal or two more assists.
UP NEXT
South Carolina travels to South Bend, Ind., this weekend for a pair of matches against ranked opponents. The Gamecocks face No. 24 Notre Dame on Fri., Sept. 1, before playing No. 23 Michigan in a neutral contest on Sun., Sept. 3.
