The Gamecock women's soccer team was yet again defeated by the Vanderbilt Commodores this Sunday, 2-1. The Gamecocks (8-2-3) continued their nine-year losing streak against the Commodores (7-4-1). This is the first SEC defeat for the team and third overall loss. This was Vanderbilt's first SEC win.
The only goal of the game was scored by freshman Kayla Grimsley in the second half. She scored with a shot that bounced off a Commodore defender. With that goal Grimsley is now leading the SEC in points scored, with 17. She is also tied with Tennessee's Kylie Rossi for the conference lead with seven goals this year. The goal against Vanderbilt brought Grimsley to a four-game scoring streak, her second of the season.
The Gamecocks had the first shot of the game by sophomore Brooke Jacobs, whose shot from 12 yards was saved by Commodore Rachel Bachtel.
The Commodores' goals were scored by Megan and Molly Kinsella. Megan Kinsella's goal was in the 25th minute with a shot to the back corner. Molly Kinsella scored in the second half with a shot that hit a Gamecock defender and caught the keeper off guard.
The Gamecocks made repeated attempts to score again in the second half but were unable to get past the Commodore defense. In the last 50 seconds of the game, junior Blakely Mattern attempted a shot that barely missed the goal.
"In that second half, we put ourselves in position to come back," Coach Shelley Smith said in a press release. "There were several opportunities that we created being down two goals that we believed we could come back. Credit to our players, they worked hard and left everything on the field. Our captains, Kim Miller and Blakely Mattern, did a good job to fight and get us back in the game."
The Gamecocks led the game 19-12 in shots and 9-5 in shots on goal.
"We didn't play our best game today," Shelley said. "I don't think we came out as mentally prepared for the battle in the first half, and it cost us a goal. I thought we were hesitant in our play and sat back. You can't do that against a good SEC team. Vanderbilt did a good job to take advantage. They battled hard and got a goal."
The Gamecocks had just come off a 2-0 win against Kentucky on Friday night at home. South Carolina will host Mississippi State on Friday night and Ole Miss on Sunday afternoon.
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