No. 15 Gamecocks return home for conference play

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 15 South Carolina women’s soccer (7-1-1, 1-0-0) plays its first home SEC match of the season against Ole Miss (4-1-1, 0-0-1) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. The match will be televised live on SECN+. 

LAST TIME OUT

The Gamecocks opened conference play on the road, taking down Alabama 2-1. South Carolina started things early, getting on the board in the seventh minute after rookie Mackenzie Johnson struck one to the center of the net after the Tide keeper came out. It was the fifth goal for Johnson this season, the most on the team. 

Five minutes later, South Carolina had an open look but was called offside. The Gamecocks got four more shots off in the first half and held the Tide back from scoring despite seven chances from the Alabama offense. 

Just four minutes into the second half, the Gamecocks made things 2-0 after Katie Shea Collins smoked one into the top right corner of the net off a cross from Kinley Brown. The game winner was the fourth goal of the season for Collins and the 17th of her career. Alabama immediately responded, scoring just 30 seconds later to make things 2-1. 

In the 60th minute, Collins snuck another one into the top corner, but the goal was ultimately called back with an offside call. Despite being outshot 20-8, the Gamecock defense held Alabama to just one goal on the night. Senior keeper Christina Tsaousis tallied five saves, a season high. 

South Carolina is now 7-0-0 when striking first this season. 

SCOUTING THE REBELS

Thursday’s match against Ole Miss will be the 25th in program history. The two teams last met during the regular season (Oct. 13) and tied 2-2. Returners Katie Shea Collins scored during the match for the Gamecocks, and Kate Smith found the back of the net for the Rebels. 

Ole Miss enters the match coming off a 1-1 tie against Auburn for its conference play opener. Smith scored the Rebels’ lone goal of the match to level the score. Sophomore Katie Ramsden leads the team with three goals and an assist. 

South Carolina leads the series 13-6-5.

FAN INFO

Fans can follow along with in-game updates on X, @GamecockWSoccer.