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Gamecocks Secure No. 4 Seed in SEC Tournament with 2-1 Win
Women's Soccer  . 

Gamecocks Secure No. 4 Seed in SEC Tournament with 2-1 Win

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On what turned out to be a wet and rainy Thursday night (Oct. 28), the South Carolina women’s soccer team took care of business, going on the road to defeat Florida 2-1. With the win the Gamecocks secured the No. 4 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. For the season, Carolina improves to 11-5-1 overall and ends the year 6-3-1 in SEC play.
 
“I’m proud of the team and the effort they gave tonight,” head coach Shelley Smith said. “I loved the way they battled throughout the match to come from behind and find a way to get a result on the road. We had to make some adjustments. Players came off the bench to play important roles and give the team a life when it was needed. All around, it was a great team effort.”
 
The Gamecocks found themselves trailing early when the Gators scored in the 18th minute on a ball the was bouncing around inside the 18-yard box.
 
South Carolina was able to score the equalizer 15 minutes later off the left foot of Ryan Gareis. Near midfield, Samantha Chang played a ball to the left side. Claire Griffiths made a quick touch ahead to find Gareis, who had slipped past her defender, and beat the Florida keeper to the far post. The goal was Gareis’ third of the season.
 
The two sides settled into a possession game early in the second half, as they each were limited to one shot through 15 minutes. 
 
The Gamecocks were able to break through in the 77th minute when Catherine Barry scored her sixth goal of the season. The run of play began when Gareis sent a long ball into the box. After bouncing around off several Florida players, Griffiths settled the ball but was taken down in the box. The ball rolled ahead to Barry who was able to get a touch on it just as she slipped on the wet grass, putting the ball home inside the far post.  It was Barry’s sixth career game-winner and Griffiths first career multi-point game.
 
The Carolina defense did not allow a Florida shot over the final 13 minutes to secure its fifth win in their last six meetings.
 
For the match, both teams attempted 11 shots, with the Gamecocks holding a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. 
 
South Carolina now turns its attention to the SEC Tournament where they have a rematch with No. 5 seed Auburn Tuesday, November 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET.


For the latest on women’s soccer, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockWSoccer, Facebook /GamecockWSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockWSoccer.

 

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