Harris Tabbed as SEC Defensive Player of the Week
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s soccer junior midfielder turned defender Jyllissa Harris was tabbed as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career after her performance against Elon, the conference office announced Monday.
The Hazlet, N.J., native extended her scoring streak to three matches on March 25 in the shutout victory over Elon on the road. Harris, who’s primary position is a defensive midfielder, has moved to the center back position this spring, starting in all three matches so far in 2021 and helping the Gamecocks to three-straight clean sheets. Thursday’s clean sheet against Elon was arguably the most impressive this spring with Carolina’s back line allowing just one shot all match on the road. Harris added an insurance goal in the first half for the Gamecocks, helping the team earn a 3-0 win for the third-straight time. Harris’ goal came in the 22nd minute when the junior aired a shot off a free kick from distance that found the back of the net, increasing her goal total this season to four, tying her career high for a single season.
South Carolina has now earned a total of seven weekly SEC honors this season and has won each of the three weekly honors at least twice including three Defensive Player of the Week honors won by three different Gamecocks (Sutton Jones, Heather Hinz). Harris was also named to the All-SEC First Team in the fall as a midfielder.
Barry and the No. 13 Gamecocks (10-3-0, 6-2-0 SEC) will enjoy a long break from action until the team takes on rival Clemson on April 10 at home. The match, scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, will be streamed on SEC Network + and will be limited to Gamecock Club members, Familia FC members and past season ticket holders. Additional instructions have already been emailed to those qualified fans.
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