USC welcomes MSU after dominating win against East Carolina
Everything came together for the Gamecocks in Sunday's game against ECU, particularly in the second half.
The defense shut out an opponent for the fourth time this season, while the offense matched a season-high three goals.
USC's final nonconference match gave the team a confidence boost as it opens SEC play against Mississippi State on Friday and Missouri on Sunday. The two matches will give the Gamecocks an opportunity to extend a streak of eight regular-season wins in a row against SEC opponents, which started mid-season last year.
"Every opponent is competitive in our conference," said coach Shelley Smith. "It's just something you expect ... Our goal Friday night is to get the win and go out Sunday and do the same."
Smith cited the team's defensive effort as one of the reasons for the success of the offense. The Gamecocks allowed the Pirates to take only two shots all game and none in the second half.
"Part of it was taking care of the ball and not giving [ECU] chances by turning the ball over at midfield," Smith said of the win. "We put that on ourselves a lot of times when we do turn it over. I thought we did a better job putting balls in dangerous areas to keep it.
"[We had] better decision-making all over the place. Our defensive effort was great. Everyone that came into the game did a job. We shut down an opponent that is a good team. I think we felt good about [Sunday], and it's great to go into conference play playing that way."
Freshman forward Courtney Angotti-Smith provided an offensive spark off the bench, scoring two goals for the Gamecocks. She was named SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance.
"It's nice recognition, and well-deserved," Smith said. "She's been playing better every game, and every opportunity she's been given, she's become more and more dangerous. I'm excited to see how she continues through the season."
Mississippi State comes to Columbia riding a seven-game win streak, including five consecutive shutouts. In its most recent victory, it edged Southern Miss 1-0 in overtime.
"It's a very confident team that's coming in to prove themselves," Smith said. "They're undefeated, and that says a lot about their ability to finish teams off. We know we have our hands full in our first conference match."
When the two teams faced off last year, the Gamecocks escaped with a 1-0 win on a goal by then-senior forward Kayla Grimsley. But Smith said this year's Bulldogs have more ambitious goals than last year's squad.
"Mississippi State is coming off a year where they didn't make the SEC championship, but I know that's a goal of theirs," Smith said. "This is their first step to doing that, so we know they'll be coming out strong."
With a dominant performance to round out nonconference play, USC will look to open its SEC schedule on the same positive note.
"Coming off a result like [Sunday] ... I'm really pleased with how [the team has] been reacting and responding to things that haven't always gone their way, but they've bounced back and pushed through during the next week," Smith said. "I know that's the same this week."