Women's Soccer: Not a bad week with a tie with A&M and huge win in Knoxville. Hopefully the Knoxville Gamecocks are what we see going forward.
FROM USC:
COLUMBIA, SC – No. 21 South Carolina women’s soccer (9-3-4) came from behind in the second half to tie things 1-1 with Texas A&M (8-5-4) Thursday night. The Gamecocks move to 4-3-1 in conference play, while the Aggies record their second tie in the SEC (2-4-2).
Breaking Down the Action
South Carolina got the action started with a shot by junior Catherine Barry in the third minute of play, coming off just wide to the right. The Aggies responded with their first chance in the 15th but shot too high.
At the 20 minute mark, the Aggies got on the board after Mia Pante sent a serve to Quinn Cornog, who then deflected it off a South Carolina defender. The Gamecocks went on to take two more shots but headed into the half down by one.
14 minutes into the second period, a gorgeous pass up the left side from Barry set up sophomore Payton Patrick for success 1-v-1 against Aggie goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell, tying things up 1-1 with 30 minutes to go. The goal marked the second of the season for Patrick, and the third assist for Barry.
South Carolina took 15 shots on the night with 10 on goal, compared to Texas A&M’s four. Barry took seven of the Gamecocks’ shots, accounting for nearly half of her team. Senior goalkeeper Heather Hinz recorded one save.
FROM USC
KNOXVILLE, TN – The No. 21 South Carolina women’s soccer team (10-3-4) took down the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers (10-3-3) 6-1 on Sunday, marking the first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 10 North Carolina in 2021 (Nov. 13). The 6-1 victory also marked the largest margin of victory over a ranked team in program history. The Gamecocks’ six goals were the most since defeating Jacksonville 6-0 on Aug 28, 2019, and the win also snapped Tennessee’s five game shutout streak.
Breaking Down the Action
Taylor Jacobson got things started, taking a shot in the third minute coming off just high over the center. The Vols were close to follow with their first attempt coming three minutes later but were met by a diving save from senior goalkeeper Heather Hinz.
After four more shots from the Gamecocks, Claire Griffiths was able to find the back of the net with an assist from sophomore Payton Patrick in the 26th minute to put South Carolina up 1-0. The goal marked the third of the season for Griffiths, and the fifth of her career. Less than two minutes later, freshman Shae O’Rourke recorded her fifth goal of the season after taking advantage of a shuffle in front of the net and the Vols found themselves down 2-0.
South Carolina’s offense continued the fiery momentum, with Patrick scoring her own goal (her third of the year) in the 30th minute to put the Gamecocks up 3-0 over Tennessee just in the first half. Payton’s third assist tied her for first on the team along with O’Rourke and Barry. The three goals tie for the most in a half for South Carolina this season since doing the same at UConn (08/25/22) and at home over Furman (09/04/22).
The first 20 minutes of the second half were quiet for both sides, until O’Rourke slid one in in the 68th minute to move her team 4-0 over the Vols. O’Rourke’s goal was the sixth of the year, putting her on top of the season leaderboard for total goals.
In the 74th minute, Tennessee capitalized off a corner, with Giselle Washington scoring on an assist from Claudia Dipasupil to put them on the board 4-1.
South Carolina did not back down, answering with its fifth goal of the game coming from Corinna Zullo in the 80th minute, knocking it into the top left corner from the right side. The goal was the first for Zullo this season. Zullo then continued with her own momentum, scoring the sixth goal of the game less than four minutes later off an assist from Barry, her fourth and most of the season.
The Gamecocks finished with 19 shots (seven on goal), and two corners. Hinz tallied seven saves. South Carolina moves to 5-3-1 in conference play, while Tennessee moves to 6-2-2.
MEN's SOCCER
FROM USC:
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (5-5-4, 1-2-3 SBC) earned a point in the Sun Belt Conference standings with its 1-1 draw against the visiting James Madison (5-6-4, 1-2-3 SBC) Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23).
For the match, the Gamecocks out-shot the Dukes 17-10, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Carolina would put the first shot on goal of the match in the 5th minute by Parker League. Ethan Dekel Daks also nearly put one home in the 21st minute.
James Madison went out in front when the Dukes scored in the 33rd minute off a crossing pass into the box.
The deficit wouldn’t last long, as the Gamecocks answered in the 42nd minute. Cristiano Bruletti sent a long pass into the right side of the 18-yard box that found League. League made a quick pass to the center of the 8-yard box that found Adam Luckhurst, who buried it home for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. It was both League’s and Bruletti’s second assist of the season.
The Gamecock defense pressured JMU the entire second half, conceding just three shots. The lone James Madison shot on goal came in the 69th minute, as goalkeeper Ben Alexander made a spectacular diving save. South Carolina had to play the final three minutes of the match a man down when Junior Saint Juste was sent off for a second yellow card. Carolina did not allow a shot attempt in those final minutes, including denying a pair of corner kick chances for the Dukes.
South Carolina heads out for its final road trip of the regular season when it travels to Georgia State on Friday, October 28, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL:
FROM USC:
BATON ROUGE, LA. – South Carolina lost in straight sets at LSU (12-8, 6-4 SEC) on Sunday afternoon. The Gamecocks (10-9, 4-5) were undone by unforced errors, finishing the match with 11 service errors and 20 attacking errors compared to four and seven, respectively, for LSU. Lauren McCutcheon led the Carolina offense with 14 kills.
UP NEXT
The team has only one game on the schedule for next week, but it will be an action-packed one. The Gamecocks host Texas A&M on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and will celebrate their annual Alumnae Night as well as Senior Night. The ceremony for the team’s seven graduating members – Gabby Brown, Camilla Covas, Holly Eastridge, Jenna Hampton, Dalaney Hans, McKenzie Moorman and Janna Schlageter – will be prior to first serve. Alumnae recognition will be during the match against the Aggies.
FROM USC:
COLUMBIA, SC – No. 21 South Carolina women’s soccer (9-3-4) came from behind in the second half to tie things 1-1 with Texas A&M (8-5-4) Thursday night. The Gamecocks move to 4-3-1 in conference play, while the Aggies record their second tie in the SEC (2-4-2).
Breaking Down the Action
South Carolina got the action started with a shot by junior Catherine Barry in the third minute of play, coming off just wide to the right. The Aggies responded with their first chance in the 15th but shot too high.
At the 20 minute mark, the Aggies got on the board after Mia Pante sent a serve to Quinn Cornog, who then deflected it off a South Carolina defender. The Gamecocks went on to take two more shots but headed into the half down by one.
14 minutes into the second period, a gorgeous pass up the left side from Barry set up sophomore Payton Patrick for success 1-v-1 against Aggie goalkeeper Kenna Caldwell, tying things up 1-1 with 30 minutes to go. The goal marked the second of the season for Patrick, and the third assist for Barry.
South Carolina took 15 shots on the night with 10 on goal, compared to Texas A&M’s four. Barry took seven of the Gamecocks’ shots, accounting for nearly half of her team. Senior goalkeeper Heather Hinz recorded one save.
FROM USC
KNOXVILLE, TN – The No. 21 South Carolina women’s soccer team (10-3-4) took down the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers (10-3-3) 6-1 on Sunday, marking the first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 10 North Carolina in 2021 (Nov. 13). The 6-1 victory also marked the largest margin of victory over a ranked team in program history. The Gamecocks’ six goals were the most since defeating Jacksonville 6-0 on Aug 28, 2019, and the win also snapped Tennessee’s five game shutout streak.
Breaking Down the Action
Taylor Jacobson got things started, taking a shot in the third minute coming off just high over the center. The Vols were close to follow with their first attempt coming three minutes later but were met by a diving save from senior goalkeeper Heather Hinz.
After four more shots from the Gamecocks, Claire Griffiths was able to find the back of the net with an assist from sophomore Payton Patrick in the 26th minute to put South Carolina up 1-0. The goal marked the third of the season for Griffiths, and the fifth of her career. Less than two minutes later, freshman Shae O’Rourke recorded her fifth goal of the season after taking advantage of a shuffle in front of the net and the Vols found themselves down 2-0.
South Carolina’s offense continued the fiery momentum, with Patrick scoring her own goal (her third of the year) in the 30th minute to put the Gamecocks up 3-0 over Tennessee just in the first half. Payton’s third assist tied her for first on the team along with O’Rourke and Barry. The three goals tie for the most in a half for South Carolina this season since doing the same at UConn (08/25/22) and at home over Furman (09/04/22).
The first 20 minutes of the second half were quiet for both sides, until O’Rourke slid one in in the 68th minute to move her team 4-0 over the Vols. O’Rourke’s goal was the sixth of the year, putting her on top of the season leaderboard for total goals.
In the 74th minute, Tennessee capitalized off a corner, with Giselle Washington scoring on an assist from Claudia Dipasupil to put them on the board 4-1.
South Carolina did not back down, answering with its fifth goal of the game coming from Corinna Zullo in the 80th minute, knocking it into the top left corner from the right side. The goal was the first for Zullo this season. Zullo then continued with her own momentum, scoring the sixth goal of the game less than four minutes later off an assist from Barry, her fourth and most of the season.
The Gamecocks finished with 19 shots (seven on goal), and two corners. Hinz tallied seven saves. South Carolina moves to 5-3-1 in conference play, while Tennessee moves to 6-2-2.
MEN's SOCCER
FROM USC:
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s soccer team (5-5-4, 1-2-3 SBC) earned a point in the Sun Belt Conference standings with its 1-1 draw against the visiting James Madison (5-6-4, 1-2-3 SBC) Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23).
For the match, the Gamecocks out-shot the Dukes 17-10, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Carolina would put the first shot on goal of the match in the 5th minute by Parker League. Ethan Dekel Daks also nearly put one home in the 21st minute.
James Madison went out in front when the Dukes scored in the 33rd minute off a crossing pass into the box.
The deficit wouldn’t last long, as the Gamecocks answered in the 42nd minute. Cristiano Bruletti sent a long pass into the right side of the 18-yard box that found League. League made a quick pass to the center of the 8-yard box that found Adam Luckhurst, who buried it home for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. It was both League’s and Bruletti’s second assist of the season.
The Gamecock defense pressured JMU the entire second half, conceding just three shots. The lone James Madison shot on goal came in the 69th minute, as goalkeeper Ben Alexander made a spectacular diving save. South Carolina had to play the final three minutes of the match a man down when Junior Saint Juste was sent off for a second yellow card. Carolina did not allow a shot attempt in those final minutes, including denying a pair of corner kick chances for the Dukes.
South Carolina heads out for its final road trip of the regular season when it travels to Georgia State on Friday, October 28, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL:
FROM USC:
BATON ROUGE, LA. – South Carolina lost in straight sets at LSU (12-8, 6-4 SEC) on Sunday afternoon. The Gamecocks (10-9, 4-5) were undone by unforced errors, finishing the match with 11 service errors and 20 attacking errors compared to four and seven, respectively, for LSU. Lauren McCutcheon led the Carolina offense with 14 kills.
UP NEXT
The team has only one game on the schedule for next week, but it will be an action-packed one. The Gamecocks host Texas A&M on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and will celebrate their annual Alumnae Night as well as Senior Night. The ceremony for the team’s seven graduating members – Gabby Brown, Camilla Covas, Holly Eastridge, Jenna Hampton, Dalaney Hans, McKenzie Moorman and Janna Schlageter – will be prior to first serve. Alumnae recognition will be during the match against the Aggies.
