As the No. 10 South Carolina women’s soccer team continue on with their season, holding a 10-1-4 record, senior defender Gracie Falla has proven to be a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball.
Preserving a 0.47 goals-against average through their first 15 games, South Carolina ranks second in the SEC and eighth in the nation in this statistic. The Gamecocks have shut out nine of their opponents and have only allowed multiple goals during one outing this season.
Falla says that having a strong mentality induces the high standards that the team holds.
“We’re so disciplined, and we hold ourselves to such a high standard,” Falla said . “We’re very organized as well on the field. We’re also very competitive, so we compete every day.”
Since Falla arrived to the program in 2022, the Gamecocks have appeared in two SEC Tournament Championships, winning it all in 2022 . Additionally, South Carolina has hosted — and advanced through — the first round of the NCAA Tournament in each of her three seasons.
Falla said South Carolina has their eyes on the prize for her senior campaign.
“(We want) to win championships. (I) think that’s pretty straightforward," Falla said. “That’s been our goal ever since I’ve been here … and I think we have a really good chance this year.”
After falling short of the SEC Tournament Championship with a 1-0 loss to the Texas Longhorns in 2024 , South Carolina is ranked No. 10 in the nation this season. The Gamecocks have notched double-digit regular season wins for the first time since 2023, while outsourcing their opponents 28-7 in the process.
Since her freshman year, Falla made an immediate and significant impact for the South Carolina women’s soccer program. Falla has started in 79 of the 81 games she has appeared in as a Gamecock, and she is on pace to lead the team in minutes for the third consecutive season.
South Carolina women’s soccer head coach Shelley Smith said Falla’s on-field experience has turned her into a great player and leader.
“Gracie is someone that came in and played right away, and that’s not everyone's path,” Smith said. “She’s become so much better as a defender and as a player in the program over her time. She’s become a true leader in the back.”
With a starting defensive line that contains Falla, senior Micah Bryant and senior Taylor Bloom, South Carolina’s back line is full of experienced players. Smith credited the trio for the leadership and organization that comes with their veteran presence.
Falla has become one of the most decorated defenders in the SEC. After being named to the SEC All-Freshman team as a freshman, Falla won the SEC Defender of the Year award in 2023 as a sophomore, and she was named as part of the All-SEC First Team in 2023 and 2024.
The veteran defender also found the back of the net on Oct. 2 for the first time since her sophomore year when her 81st-minute strike knotted the game at 2-2 against the then-No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks. Falla's lone goal of 2025 helped seal a 2-2 tie against a top 10 team in the nation.
Falla said consistency is what motivates her to keep playing at such a high level.
“We’re so successful each and every year, and we’re very consistent,” Falla said. “I like to better my teammates around me and kind of play more into that leadership role.”
Falla is in the midst of her senior year with South Carolina, where she has spent her whole collegiate career. Falla said the University of South Carolina and the city of Columbia mean a lot to her.
“I can’t say anything negative about this place. It’s super special, and it’s been such a blessing being here for four years,” Falla said. “Our program, our staff (and) our teammates cling on and off the field. I’ve learned so many life lessons here that I can take with me when I’m gone.”
Senior and second-year starting goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis said that the South Carolina defense holds themselves to high standards in regards to keeping the ball out of their net.
“We have a lot of high standards in our defense here at the program,” Tsaousis said. “And we know the coaches expect a lot out of us, and we know that we just have to go out and do our job every single game.”
Since Tsaousis and Falla arrived to the South Carolina women’s soccer program in 2022, South Carolina is on pace to record its fourth consecutive season with a sub-1.00 goals-against average .
What’s next?
The No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and it can be streamed on SEC Network plus.