The No. 10 South Carolina women’s soccer team defeated American University 2-0 in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, moving to 6-0-1 on the season.
South Carolina controlled the first half, creating early pressure with several throw-ins and shots on target. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when freshman forward Mackenzie Johnson finished low to the left off an assis
t from senior defender Micah Bryant, giving the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead .
The Eagles generated a few looks of its own, most notably a shot by senior defender Phoebe Merrigan in the 42nd minute, but senior goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis was able to make the save. The Eagles also earned a corner in that stretch but couldn’t convert.
Both sides used heavy rotations throughout the half, with South Carolina especially active in substituting across the midfield and attack. Despite the changes, the Gamecocks kept most of the possession and attacking pressure, forcing American senior goalkeeper Tamera Taylor-Moore into two saves. At halftime, South Carolina led 1-0 behind Johnson’s goal.
South Carolina came out of halftime with fresh legs after a wave of substitutions, and it paid off. In the 56th minute, Johnson struck again, hitting low to the left for her second goal of the day to double the Gamecocks’ lead to 2-0.
The Gamecocks piled on pressure with a barrage of corners and shots. Junior forward Autumn Cayelli rattled the crossbar in the 79th minute. Junior forward Reagan Schubach, freshman midfielder Alexa Pino and other Gamecocks forced multiple saves from Taylor-Moore, who kept the score from growing.
The Eagles fought to get back into the match with a handful of throw-ins, free kicks and late substitutions, but it struggled to create opportunities. The Eagles’ best looks came earlier in the half, but none seriously tested Tsaousis after Johnson’s second goal. The second half also saw rising physicality; both teams committed fouls, and American senior defender Eliza Fisher and South Carolina sophomore midfielder Avery Galante were booked with yellow cards.
Despite the Eagles' efforts, South Carolina controlled possession and tempo until the final whistle of the match, with a 2-0 final score.
Johnson's effect on scoring
It was Johnson who made the big difference. She scored both goals for South Carolina, one in the 12th minute and the other early in the second half. Her ability to finish gave the Gamecocks an early edge and sealed the win. Her play showcased the depth of South Carolina's attack and its ability to score goals, making it a promising sight for the rest of the season.
The Gamecocks' pressure on offense
South Carolina consistently moved forward, controlling the ball and creating numerous scoring opportunities. The Gamecocks had a lot of corners, made Taylor-Moore save a lot of shots and even hit the crossbar. Many chances were had, but not all of them led to goals. The constant pressure kept American on the defensive the whole game.
The Eagles' effort to defend and struggle to attack
The Eagles worked hard to stay in the game. Taylor-Moore made important stops, and the defenders stopped goals. But after the first few minutes, American struggled to create any goal opportunities. It had the ball for a few late free kicks and throw-ins, but Tsaousis was rarely pressed.
What’s next?
The Gamecocks are staying in the nation's capital to take on the Georgetown Hoyas on Sept. 7. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+.