Gamecocks to Welcome Kentucky to Stone Stadium
Women’s Soccer vs. Kentucky
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s soccer (1-1-0, 1-1-0 SEC) is set to take on Kentucky (0-2-0, 0-2-0 SEC) in its second straight match at home. The match is set for Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at Stone Stadium on SEC Network.
LAST TIME OUT – MISSOURI
South Carolina women’s soccer (1-1-0, 1-1-0 SEC) came from behind and scored four unanswered goals to take down Missouri (0-1-0, 0-1-0 SEC) at Stone Stadium on Sept. 27. The come from behind victory was sparked, and led, by freshman Catherine Barry’s two goals, giving Carolina its first SEC win of the 2020 season.
“[The comeback] says a lot about our team, how we were able to bounce back and not panic,” South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith said. “It was really nice to get that first goal; it was tough, but Cat just made it happen. For her that was nice to be rewarded and the presence she had up top for us. It is always nice to get your first goal as a freshman. And then for her to get two is pretty amazing.”
Missouri jumped out to a quick lead in the 11th minute of action when Julissa Cisneros fired home a free kick into the back of the net. The Gamecocks furiously came back, scoring four goals led by Barry who knotted the match at one in the 27th minute. Barry eventually gave the Gamecocks the lead in the second half and Jyllissa Harris and Rylee Forster both scored insurance goals to help secure the win.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Despite the Wildcats (0-2-0, 0-2-0 SEC) scoring three goals in their first three matches they have been unable to grab a victory. The team jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Vanderbilt before the Commodores scored three unanswered goals to earn the 3-2 win. Then Kentucky entered the second half of last week’s match with No. 13 Arkansas in a 1-1 match before allowing three second half goals to drop the match 4-1 at home. The offense has been ran through sophomore Jordyn Rhodes who has scored all three of their goals this season and on just nine shots. Goalkeeper Brooke Littman has kept the Wildcats in their matches, making 18 saves in her first two matches this season, including a career-high 11 against Arkansas. On top of Littman and Rhodes, Marissa Bosco and Hannah Richardson were also named to the preseason SEC Watch List.
BARRY NAMED TO TOPDRAWERSOCCER’S TEAM OF THE WEEK
South Carolina women’s soccer freshman Catherine Barry earned her first career weekly honor as a member of TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Team of the Week, the publication announced Tuesday.
Barry scored a pair of goals in Carolina’s home opening win over Missouri. The multi-goal performance was just the second time for a Gamecock dating back to 2017. Barry’s brace is also the first time a freshman scored two goals in one match since Luciana Zullo did back in 2017 against Mississippi State.
“It was really exciting scoring my first goals, it is something you dream of doing,” Barry said. “I was really excited to help the team get a victory. To have my family there when I did it just made it even better. I’m so grateful for these opportunities and to help my team win.”
THEY GROW UP SO FAST
The Gamecocks had three freshmen make significant contributions in their 4-1 win over Missouri. On top of Catherine Barry’s brace, including the game-winning goal, freshman Taylor Fox played all 90 minutes in goal and Rylee Forster notched an insurance goal in the second half to help the Gamecocks get back to their winning ways at Stone Stadium. The three goals from freshmen is just the second time freshman have combined for three goals or more since at least 2012.
RILEY AND RYLEE OFF THE BENCH
Dating back to last season the Gamecocks have had at least one goal scored from the bench in five straight matches at home with four of those coming from either Riley Tanner or Rylee Forster. Tanner scored three off the bench in last year’s NCAA Tournament while Rylee Forster came off the bench to add insurance in the 4-1 win over Missouri. Claire Griffiths also provided a goal in the Gamecocks’ 2-0 win over Ole Miss in 2019 at Stone Stadium.
HOME COOKIN’
Since 2015 the Gamecocks hold a conference record of 19-1-3 at home against SEC opponents at Stone Stadium. The only loss coming in 2018 against Texas A&M in overtime. On top of that the Gamecocks have not lost at Stone Stadium against a conference opponent in six-straight matches. In that span the Gamecocks have outscored their opponents 47-8.
TWENTY YEARS OF THE SMITHS
The 2020 campaign marks the 20th for head coach Shelley Smith and associate head coach Jamie Smith. This season also marks the 25th season of South Carolina women’s soccer. Smith has led the Gamecocks to 254 wins and has won 295 matches in her collegiate coaching career. In 19 seasons Smith has captured five SEC championships, has appeared in 12 NCAA Tournaments and one College Cup. She’s produced 14 All-Americans and has 10 current Gamecocks in the professional ranks, which is the second most currently among SEC programs.
WATCH LIST GAMECOCKS
The Gamecocks had six named to the Preseason SEC Watch List for the 2020 season. Seniors Anna Patten, Lauren Chang, Ryan Gareis and Luciana Zullo along with junior Jyllissa Harris and redshirt sophomore Samantha Chang all were named. Patten, Chang and Harris all are returning All-SEC performers while Zullo, Chang and Gareis have all previously been a part of the All-SEC Freshman team.
‘MATTER’ IS THE MINIMUM PATCH
As of July 30, 2020, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rules to allow student-athletes in all sports to wear patches on their uniforms for commemorative and memorial purposes, as well as to support social justice issues. Student-athletes of the South Carolina women’s soccer program chose to wear patches that read “Matter is the Minimum” on their right sleeve.
The Gamecocks chose to wear these patches because they want to use their platform as student-athletes to take a stand against systemic racism and social injustice. The team does not tolerate any form of racism and injustice and wants to do its part to make a change. Although these patches are small, they stand for a movement that is bigger than any game.
GAMECOCK CAPTAINS
Head Coach Shelley Smith named Lauren Chang, Anna Patten, Luciana Zullo and Sarah Eskew as the four captains for the 2020 season. Chang is the returning leader in career goals scored (15), assists (8) and points (38) and joins Patten as returning 2019 All-SEC Second Team members. Zullo is second among returning career leaders in goals (13) and points (34) while Eskew is the leading returner in starts on the defensive end with 54, including the last 45 matches in a row.
UP NEXT
Carolina will continue its run on national TV next week when the Gamecocks travel to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt. The match between the Gamecocks and the 2019 East Division champions will be on Sun., Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. on ESPNU.
QUICK NOTES
– Ryan Gareis scored the game-winning goal against the Wildcats last season in Lexington
– Carolina has not lost to Kentucky since 2014 and have not allowed a goal to the Wildcats at Stone Stadium since 2011
– The Gamecocks have outscored the Wildcats 8-0 since 2014 while also winning the last three straight at Stone Stadium where they have outscored them 8-1 since 2011
– The 2020 season for the Gamecocks is the 25th season in program history with head coach Shelley Smith entering her 20th season as the leader of the Garnet and Black
– The Gamecocks had 23 players play on Sept. 27, against Missouri, with six Gamecocks making their season debut in the Garnet and Black
– Shelley Smith won her 296 match against Missouri on Sept. 27, just four wins away from 300
