Gamecocks open season Friday night at East Carolina
Through the first 11 years of its existence, South Carolina found itself struggling to get over the hump separating it from the most respected programs in college soccer.
Four years later, it’s safe to say that’s no longer the case.
Fresh off their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Gamecocks go into Friday’s season opener at East Carolina as one of the most successful programs of the past several years, maintaining a belief that the best is yet to come.
“We’re always excited about this time of year,” coach Shelley Smith said. “You’re anxious to get started, you want to see how we do against some competition and make adjustments as we go, if needed. We’ve worked hard and prepared well for that first game, so I’m expecting good things.”
Carolina enters the 2011 season ranked No. 21 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll, marking a 26-week streak in the Top 25, the longest in program history. Smith believes the success of recent years has changed the team’s mindset on what it’s capable of achieving.
“Our team has an expectation now,” Smith said. “We expect to be there, and that’s how we train and we play. That’s the kind of thinking we have going into games, that we need to do everything we can to be the best that we can. We don’t face any opponent thinking we’re not supposed to win, and that’s the difference in the attitude. You can win games based on the fact you believe you should be out there winning.”
The Gamecocks kicked off preseason practice in the first week of August, and two weeks later, Smith is pleased with where the team stands as it prepares to open the regular season.
“Despite the heat, the players were tremendous with their work rate and attitudes,” Smith said. “They’ve worked hard for each other and have really developed into a solid group on and off the field. The team chemistry’s there; they’re willing to work and put everything out there for each other. Things are in place for us to do well through the ups and downs that you face during the season.”
Carolina returns seven starters from last season’s lineup along with eight seniors. Having lost several key position players, including defender Brittiny Rhoades and forward Brooke Jacobs, Smith will be looking to veterans like Kayla Grimsley and Ellen Fahey to set the tone early on.
“It’s crucial to have some experience in a program,” Smith said. “When you take some of those key performers out that have played every minute since their freshman year, you miss that. But, we also have players that have stepped up their game and have done what we expect them to do. We do have a big senior class that’s seen what makes a successful team, and they’re going to bring that experience onto the playing field.”
The Gamecocks also add seven freshmen to the 2011 roster, all of whom are expected to have an opportunity to make an impact in the early goings of the season. Standing out in particular is goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. After the departure of record-setting keeper Mollie Patton, D’Angelo has found herself in the middle of USC’s goalkeeper competition and is expected to see playing time in the opener on Friday.
“She’s made a huge impression on all of us,” Smith said. “They feel very good with Sabrina in there. I think [sophomore goalkeeper Darien Vercillo] has had a strong preseason also. I think it’s between those two for the first weekend. There’s going to be a chance for them to shine and step in. Right now, it’s a battle with those two competing for the starting role.”
Also expected to contribute early are defenders Christa Neary, Andie Romness and Ali Whitney. After making a strong impression during the preseason, Smith expects the three of them to see playing time in the season opener.
“The freshmen have done very well to come in ready to play,” Smith said. “They’re strong physically, and they’re also good reading the game. Every year, we’ve been lucky to have a freshman class that much more prepared as they come in. [Romness] will most likely be in the defense for us somewhere, playing key minutes if not starting. [Neary] and [Whitney] will also need to be rotated into the defense at some point.”
The Gamecocks open their season on the road for the second consecutive year, this time facing a four-game road trip before returning for their home opener in early September. Having posted an impressive road record in 2010, however, Smith doesn’t expect her team’s mindset to be affected.
“Winning on the road is a challenge, and last year’s team handled it very well,” Smith said. “We faced every game the same, and that’s what we need to do this year, especially with how many away games we have. We need to be as good away as we are at home. We’ll be road-tested, so when SEC play comes with more road games than home, we should be prepared.”