Mississippi State
2-12-0, 1-6-0SEC
South Carolina
10-5-1, 4-2-1SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Carolina | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Mississippi State Loses Hard-Fought Match, 1-0 To South Carolina
October 13, 2006 | Soccer
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Mississippi State (2-12-0, 1-6-0) gave a valiant effort, but in the end, South Carolina's (10-5-1, 4-2-1) offensive pressure was too much, as the Gamecocks defeated MSU, 1-0.
The Gamecocks got the game's first scoring chance in the 11th minute. Kimmy Gillespie sent a shot toward the front of the net that Blakely Mattern headed off the crossbar. Sara Moore sent the rebound out of MSU territory, keeping the game scoreless. USC applied pressure over the next ten minutes. After Katie Lynn Harden was called for a handball at the top of the box, Ashley Kirk took the direct kick, but Taryn Holland made the save.
MSU got its first opportunity in the 21st minute. Mary Kate Ayers stole the ball in the middle of USC territory and let a shot go from the top of the circle that South Carolina netminder Lindsay Thorstenson made a diving stop on.
With 17 seconds remaining in the first half, Mary Worthen ended up with the ball, and shot from 25 yards out. But Holland made the save, and the teams went into halftime tied at zero.
South Carolina outshot the Bulldogs 7-1 in the first half, with Holland making three saves.
The Gamecocks started quick out of the half. Five minutes in, Felicia Schroeder dribbled down the left side, and sent a pass towards Samantha Diaz-Matosas. However, Holland intercepted the pass, and play continued.
In the 59th minute, after MSU knocked the ball past the goal line, USC lined up for corner kick. Erin Sullivan took the kick, and Worthen headed the ball towards the net. But once again, the ball bounced off the crossbar.
South Carolina broke through in the 73rd minute. After an MSU foul, Gillespie sent the free kick toward the front of the net. The ball got past Holland, and Mattern headed it in for the 1-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs were held to a season-low two shots, as they were outshot 18-2. Holland made six saves on the night. MSU has now been held scoreless for the last 455:47.
The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to No. 17 Florida for an 11:00 a.m. match.
Team Stats
Blakely Mattern (3)
Assisted By: Kimmy Gillespie
Off set piece ... far post
73:14
