South Carolina Opens Conference Play with Top-25 Win

COLUMBIA, SC – No. 19 South Carolina women’s soccer (7-1-0) defeated No. 23 Florida (4-3-1) 1-0 on Thursday evening in the season’s SEC opener. It marked the fifth shutout of the season and the 11th consecutive game the Gamecocks have remained undefeated against the Gators.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Gators held firm possession for the first eight minutes of play, getting two shots in early. 
• After five corner kicks in 10 minutes, the Gamecocks gained momentum, and senior Maryn Wolf connected the ball to the back of the net for a goal, but was called back for a handball in the box. 
• In the 39th minute, the Gamecocks officially took the lead as senior Reese Slater scored her second goal of the season after senior Autumn Cayelli’s shot was deflected by the Florida keeper, allowing the ball to come loose. It marked back-to-back goals for Slater after she scored in the Gamecocks’ 6-1 win over Charleston (Sept. 6)
• Florida responded to the goal with a six-shot run, but they could not find the back of the net, ending the first half with the Gamecocks leading. 
• The second half was a back-and-forth battle, with the first shot on goal in the 72nd minute by the Gators. The half remained scoreless.
• The Gamecocks took 11 corner kicks, a season high and the fourth-most in a game in program history. Of the 11, nine corner kicks were taken in the first half. 
• Fifth-year keeper Christina Tsaousis finished with three saves, and her fourth shutout on the year

UP NEXT

South Carolina will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to take on LSU on Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:00 p.m.