South Carolina women’s soccer has cruised to a 9-1-2 record this season, dialing in as the No. 10 team in the nation. With the Gamecock defense ranking third in NCAA Division I with a .25 goals against average, senior goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis has stood out as a leader in the back.
So far in 2025, the South Carolina Gamecocks have allowed three goals in their 12 matches and have yet to concede multiple goals in a match. While doing so, Tsaousis and the Gamecocks have recorded nine clean sheets in the process.
One of Tsaousis’ best games came during a 1-0 victory against the then-No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes, when she recorded four saves in the shutout win. The victory against Ohio State is South Carolina’s lone ranked win in 2025.
Tsaousis said that South Carolina has a mindset to “win the 18,” emphasizing the importance of dominating the game within the 18-yard box on both sides of the field.
“Everything in the air, we go get it. We’re first to the ball. Anything on the ground … we’re there,” Tsaousis said. "(We’re) really just selling out defensively to make sure that we don’t get scored on. And I think that has helped us this season.”
Under women’s soccer head coach Shelley Smith, the South Carolina Gamecocks have recorded a sub-1.20 goals against average in every season dating back to at least 2012. Smith said the team has great leaders that influence a strong, defensive mindset.
“You basically have an attitude about making sure you’re not getting scored on, and they do what they need to do to keep the ball out of the net,” Smith said. “We also do a good job as a team to limit teams from opportunities to score.”
Tsaousis said South Carolina remains passionate about their defensive goals and standards.
“We have a lot of high standards in our defense here,” Tsaousis said. “We know that 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.”
In 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks advanced to the SEC Championship match and reached the second round of the Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament.
Tsaousis started all 22 games during her junior campaign, posting 1.03 goals against average, 78.4% save percentage and four shutouts. Just a year later, Tsaousis has improved all of those statistics through her first 12 games.
The senior goalkeeper said that her emotional presence has improved since her junior year.
“My confidence has improved, and that just comes with training, playing (and) getting experience,” Tsaousis said. “But I think something that I’ve personally improved on has been just being more of a relaxed and calm presence for our team.”
Senior defender Gracie Falla said Tsaousis seems to improve every time she plays.
“She’s been fantastic. She went through a little injury but she came back,” Falla said. “She’s a competitor, she likes to compete … she’s very vocal, which helps us a lot back there.”
This past Spring, Tsaousis underwent shoulder surgery. She said shetook this time to improve her explosiveness and agility during the recovery process.
Entering her senior year, Tsaousis has spent her entire collegiate career at the University of South Carolina. After not finding any playing time in her freshman year, Tsaousis has worked her way up through the depth chart to become a two-year starter. The Tarpon Springs, Florida native said that Columbia is a home away from home.
“The University of South Carolina definitely means a lot …. Jamie (Smith) and Shelley (Smith) are married, so they’re literally our parents away from home,” Tsaousis said. “I knew I was never going to regret coming here.”
South Carolina women’s soccer head coach and associate head coach, Shelley Smith and Jamie Smith, have both been coaching the women's soccer program for over 20 years.
Shelley Smith said that Tsaousis has stepped up as leader for the South Carolina defense.
“(Christina) in goal with her experience, she’s become that much more vocal,” Smith said. “The communication between (the defense) is just very helpful when you’re trying to really defend your goal.”
What's Next?
The No. 10 South Carolina women's soccer team hosts the No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks at Stone Stadium on Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be streamed on ESPNU.