The South Carolina women’s soccer team defeated in-state rival Clemson on Friday night, and senior forward Savannah McCaskill reached a career milestone in the process.
With an assist on the game-winning goal from sophomore forward Elexa Bahr, the Gamecocks’ All-American striker McCaskill tallied 100 points on her career.
"It's amazing," McCaskill said. "Lex did a great job holding a run and then the finishing ball. It was just really good to be able to hold on to that lead and get the win."
McCaskill is just the third player in South Carolina program history to reach 100 points on her career, joining Kayla Grimsley (2008-11) and Jennie Ondo (1996-99), who was inducted into USC Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 2014.
In her past three seasons with the Gamecocks, McCaskill led the Gamecocks in points, recording 15 as a freshman, 29 as a sophomore and 45 as a junior. Her junior year total set a single-season school records for points, ranking third nationally and first in the SEC. The Chapin native’s eight goals and 21 points in conference play in 2016 also ranked in the top three, according to GamecocksOnline.
"Savannah is obviously always a threat," head coach Shelley Smith said. "She's found a way to find players and a big credit to her."
In college soccer, players earn two points per goal and one per assist. According to GamecocksOnline, McCaskill entered her senior season ranked third in school history in all three categories with 89 career points, 32 career goals and 25 career assists.
When asked about McCaskill's career milestone after Friday's game, Smith said she didn't know of it at first, but added, "That's amazing. I know Savannah is proud of this team and what she has accomplished. She's ready to continue to win in games."
Prior to her assist to Bahr in the 17th minute, McCaskill came close to adding to her 2017 assist total Friday, crossing a pass from the right side in the eighth minute to freshman attacker Ryan Gareis. She played in a second cross in the 12th minute, which was cleared by the Clemson defense.
McCaskill's contributions helped the women's soccer team extend its winning streak to 18 games in September matches, while handing an undefeated Clemson team its first loss of the season. With the win at Riggs Field, the Gamecocks earned one point in the Palmetto Series, giving South Carolina a 2-1 lead over the Tigers.
McCaskill can be seen in action Friday when South Carolina opens SEC play at Stone Stadium at 7 p.m. ET against Alabama.