The Daily Gamecock

Second half comeback gives Gamecocks women's soccer season opener win

The No. 15 Gamecocks women's soccer team came back in the second half against No. 21 NC State, securing a 2-1 win.

Early on in the match, both squads were unable to create many offensive opportunities as each team attempted one shot in the first 20 minutes: one by Gamecocks junior midfielder Lauren Chang in the 5th minute and one in the 14th minute by Wolfpack freshman forward Leyah Hall-Robinson.

“I think we were pretty excited to play, sometimes nerves can creep in,” head coach Shelley Smith said. “We didn’t look ourselves and when that started to happen, we did a lot chasing.” 

This offensive standstill came to a close in the 20th minute of the match as NC State's Kristina Schuster came up with the first goal of the night to put the Wolfpack up 1-0.

The Gamecocks were able to outshoot the Wolfpack for the rest of the first half, however, South Carolina had difficulty finding a way to kick one past NC State junior goalkeeper Jessica Berlin to give the Wolfpack the lead going into the locker room.

Despite this, the Gamecocks were able to put together a pair of goals early on in the second half with a goal from senior defender Tatumn Milazzo with an assist from redshirt freshman midfielder Samantha Chang in the 49th minute.

“It was probably one of the best feelings honestly,” Milazzo said. “The first half was super rough and so starting to go into the second half when we get that goal early...it was a really good feeling.” 

South Carolina then took the lead a few minutes later in the 53rd minute with a goal from senior forward Elexa Bahr.

However, NC State did not go down without a fight as they tallied for three shots in the last nine minutes alone, but South Carolina senior goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski and the rest of the Gamecocks were able to hold off the Wolfpack to secure the season opening win.

The Gamecocks will now welcome the Tribe of William & Mary to Stone Stadium on Sunday evening. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and it will not be televised or streamed online.


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