Cat and Comebacks: Gamecocks Take Down Hokies 2-1

BLACKSBURG, VA – South Carolina women’s soccer remains undefeated after taking down the Virginia Tech Hokies 2-1 on Thursday. 

Breaking Down the Action

The Hokies started things early in the first half, taking a shot 36 seconds in but were met by a save from senior goalkeeper Heather Hinz. The Gamecocks answered back three-minutes later with an on-goal shot of their own, but were unable to capitalize. 

In the 18th minute, a handball by Camryn Dixon set up a penalty kick for Virginia Tech’s Natalie Mitchell, where the freshman was able to get past Hinz in the upper left corner to put the Hokies up 1-0. 

Throughout the remainder of the half, the Gamecocks would make four more nail-biting attempts (two on target), and a total of seven corner kicks but were unable to break Virginia Tech’s defense. 

After a pair of fouls on both sides and a yellow card on Virginia Tech’s Tori Powell, freshman Shae O’Rourke saw an opportunity off a header from Catherine Barry and scored the first goal for the Gamecocks in the 56th minute of play to tie things up 1-1. The goal marked the third of the season for O’Rourke, and the second assist for Barry. 

Barry was quick to follow in O’Rourke’s footsteps, scoring a goal of her own after setting herself up to the left of the net less than two minutes later to put South Carolina on top 2-1. The goal was Barry’s 17th of her career, moving the junior into the No. 11 spot for all-time career goals in program history. 

Virginia Tech would go on to take five shots throughout the second half, but the Gamecocks were able to hold onto their lead and finish with their fifth win of the season, despite a 12-11 shot advantage from the Hokies.

The Gamecocks took a total of 10 corners, and Hinz recorded five saves on the day.

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South Carolina will return home to play NC State on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 3:00 p.m. in Stone Stadium.