Zullo Scores Gamewinner in Gamecocks' Win over Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 7 South Carolina women’s soccer (9-1-0, 4-0-0 SEC) shut out its seventh opponent of the 2019 season with a 1-0 victory over Missouri on Friday night. Junior forward Luciana Zullo scored the second half gamewinner to give the Gamecocks the road victory.
The win for the Gamecocks is the 300th win in program history. South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith has won 244 of those matches, and is now up to 285 wins in her 24-year career.
“Getting a win on the road in the SEC is always tough,” Smith said. “Credit to Missouri, I thought they made it difficult to play against, they showed how dangerous their attackers can be. We knew we had to defend well against them and then take advantage when we had any space. I was proud of our team to stick with it offensively tonight and find a way to get the goal they needed. Also credit the Missouri goalkeeper who made some good saves, especially in that first half.”
Zullo’s fourth goal of the season came in the 57th minute, giving her the game-winning goal for the Gamecocks against Missouri for the second-straight season. Zullo scored the gamewinner last year for the Gamecocks in an identical 1-0 win for Carolina back at Stone Stadium.
The goal came after junior Ryan Gareis crossed over her defender and went down the far sideline before sending a cross toward the goal that Zullo was streaking toward. Zullo finished off the goal with her right foot for her second goal in three matches.
“She’s been so much more aggressive with her runs to the goal,” Smith said of Zullo. “Instead of always being the one to set up a goal, she’s been better at getting on the end of services. She’s always been good at striking balls and finding the back of the net and she’s just been phenomenal this year with her runs.”
The win over the Tigers is the fifth-straight over Missouri. The shutout gives Mikayla Krzeczowski 40 career shutouts, now tied for 17th most in NCAA women’s soccer history. Krzeczowski also overcame a physical play during the match, but stayed in. Krzeczowski’s streak of 76 matches started is the second most in program history, just seven behind the program record held by Carolina legend Sabrina D’Angelo.
“The fact that she’s been so consistent for us through her four years and been as healthy as she’s been, just shows how tough she is,” Smith said. “She always gets up for games and does the job we need. She’s done that each year and gotten better each year. She’s a top goalkeeper in the conference and in the country for sure.”
The Gamecocks will remain on the road to take on Kentucky on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. The Gamecocks then return home for a matchup with Vanderbilt on SEC Network on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m.
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