Gamecocks Net 3-0 Upset Over Bulldogs to Head to SEC Championship

PENSACOLA, FL – South Carolina women’s soccer (10-2-7) took down top-seeded/No. 2 ranked Mississippi State (17-2-0) in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament Thursday evening, 3-0. The Gamecocks handed the Bulldogs their second loss of the season backed by two goals from fifth-year Brianna Behm. The Gamecocks have scored four of just eight conceded goals on the year for Mississippi State, and broke a 14-game winning streak for the Bulldogs with the victory. The win also marked the first ever against the No. 2 team in the country in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Junior keeper Tina Tsaousis kept things even for the Gamecocks early on with a save in the 15th minute 

• Freshman forward Katie Shea Collins got started off things offensively for South Carolina with the team’s first shot in the 18th minute 

• Each team took two corner kicks in the first half, but neither could connect.  

• In the 48th minute, Collins found fifth-year Catherine Barry at the top of the box. Barry flicked the ball to Behm who buried the ball in the upper right corner. It was the Gamecocks’ second shot of the match 

• Behm found the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season just one minute and eight seconds later. Senior Lily Render crossed the ball into the six-yard box and Behm placed it in the upper right corner again, putting the Gamecocks up 2-0

• Tsaousis kept the Gamecock’s two-goal margin with her second save in the 68th minute 

• The Gamecocks kept the pressure on, taking shot after shot and forcing the Bulldog keeper to make three second-half saves.  

• Barry then drew a foul in the 18-yard box in the 81st minute. She converted and recorded her 16th goal of the season, moving her to second place in the record book for most goals in a season. It was her fourth attempted and made PK of the tournament.

• South Carolina took eight shots, with seven on frame. They also allowed just two shots on goal by the Bulldogs, holding them to their first goalless game of the year 

UP NEXT  

The Gamecocks will look to take on the No. 3 seed of Texas on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2:30 p.m. ET in the championship match of the SEC Tournament.  It is South Carolina’s third SEC Championship appearance in the last six years.