Gamecocks Take on Hofstra in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

LOS ANGELES – For the sixth straight season the South Carolina women’s soccer team will battle it out in the round of 32 in NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks take on Hofstra Friday, November 19 at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). The winner advances to the Sweet Sixteen and will face the winner of Southern Cal and Penn State Sunday at noon PT/3 p.m. ET.
 
Gameday Information – NCAA Tournament
When: November 19 | 2 p.m. ET
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.
Venue: Soni McAlister Field (1,000)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Live Video: Pac-12.com; Christian Miles (pxp)
Series History: First Meeting
 
RV South Carolina Gamecocks 12-6-1
Last Game: W, 1-0 at #10 North Carolina (Nov. 13)
Coach: Shelley Smith | 21st Season
Goals Leader: Catherine Barry | 7
Assists Leader:  Lauren Chang | 9
Points Leader: Catherine Barry | 16
Shots Leader: Catherine Barry | 38
Saves Leader: Heather Hinz | 44
 
RV Hofstra Pride 17-3-1
Last Game: W, 3-0 vs. Providence (Nov. 13)
Coach: Simon Riddiough | 16th Season
Goals Leader: Miri Taylor | 17
Assists Leader: Lucy Shepherd | 12
Points Leader: Miri Taylor | 45
Shots Leader: Miri Taylor | 81
Saves Leader: Skylar Kuzmich | 49
 
QUICK NOTES: SC vs Hofstra

• This is the first meeting between the two teams.
• The Gamecocks are 18-4-3 all-time against current members of the Colonial Athletic Association.
• South Carolina opened the season against CAA member College of Charleston.
•  The Gamecocks are 0-2 against CAA opponents in the NCAA Tournament.
  • A 2-1 loss to UNC Wilmington in 2015 and a 3-2 loss in overtime to William & Mary in 2008.
     

2021 Season Notables

• This is the sixth consecutive season the Gamecocks have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, dating back to 2016. They’ve advanced to the second round 11 of the last 12 seasons.
• The Gamecocks have made nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. They’re made the tournament 14 of the last 15 years. This will be their 15th appearance in program history.
• Lauren Chang rank 35th in the nation with nine assists on the season. Ryan Gareis is 56th with eight assists.
• The Gamecocks leads the SEC in fewest fouls per game and rank 32nd nationally.
• Against Ole Miss, Lauren Chang became the program’s leader in career matches played with 96. She currently ranked 6th among all active NCAA women’s soccer players with 103.
• A program record seven players were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District team; Catherine Barry, Samantha Chang, Lauren Chang, Sarah Eskew, Ryan Gareis, Jyllissa Harris, and Heather Hinz.
• Jyllissa Harris was named to the All-SEC First Team. She is the 8th player in program history to earn multiple first team honors.
• Claire Griffiths was named to the SEC Community service team.
• Payton Patrick was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Oct. 25.
• Catherine Barry scored 1:02 into the match against Alabama on Oct. 24, the fifth fastest goal in program history.
• Ryan Gareis was named the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4.
• Jyllissa Harris was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 27.
• The Gamecocks have used a deep bench this season. At least 20 players earned minutes in the first seven matches of the season. The have used at least 20 players in 11 of the 19 games this season.
• Earlier this season against Charlotte, Luciana Zullo scored her first goal of the season 46 seconds into the match. That’s tied for the second fastest goal in program history.
• South Carolina was picked by the league’s coaches to finish third in the 2021 SEC regular season. The Gamecocks have not finished a season lower than third in the SEC since 2015.
• Five Gamecocks were named to the SEC Soccer Preseason Watch List – Catherine Barry, Lauren Chang, Samantha Chang, Ryan Gareis, and Jyllissa Harris.
• Head coach Shelley Smith returns 21 of last season’s 26 letterwinners, including the team’s top three goal scorers and four fifth-year seniors who chose to return for their bonus year of eligibility.
• South Carolina added six freshmen to the collection of returning letterwinners.

 
For women’s soccer updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockWSoccer, Facebook /GamecockWSoccer, and Instagram @GamecockWSoccer.