Gamecocks set to take on Florida, Tennessee
The No. 9 Gamecocks (9-1-1, 2-1 SEC) head to Gainesville Friday to play No. 23 Florida (8-2-1, 2-1 SEC) in a battle to remain atop the conference.
South Carolina will then travel to Tennessee Sunday, where it will face the Volunteers (6-3-2, 1-1-1 SEC), who are hungry for a win.
Though starting conference play with a loss at Georgia, South Carolina’s first loss of the season, the Gamecocks quickly mustered home wins against Auburn and Arkansas to become one of the five teams tied for first in the Eastern division. Coach Shelley Smith pointed out that the wins were vital in getting her squad get back on its feet after the tough loss.
“Coming off a weekend when you win twice, it’s a positive,” Smith said. “We’re excited about what we’re bringing to Florida and Tennessee … We are going in with confidence.”
With Sabrina D’Angelo patrolling the net, South Carolina should be confident as the junior goalkeeper pitched shutouts in eight of the eleven matches thus far. The Gamecocks have one of the top shutout percentages in the country and will look for D’Angelo and the defense to continue their success.
“Getting the shutouts, that means we’re winning,” D’Angelo said. “That means we’re keeping the ball out of the back of the net, and that’s the most important thing.”
The Gamecocks will need those strong performances to go into hostile environments and come away victorious. Already having faced tough competition on the road, South Carolina will be able to use its experience to prepare against the crowds of Florida and Tennessee.
“We’ve experienced all the scenarios this season,” Smith said. “So we’re ready to face whatever is thrown at us.”
The success the Gamecocks have had this season gives them the advantage in both matchups. Though they have created a name for themselves, Smith says South Carolina still has to make a statement in the conference.
Winning against Florida and Tennessee on the road will do just that. These games are crucial to the team’s goal of winning its first SEC championship since 2011.
“We haven’t reached our goal, so we don’t take our eye off the ultimate goal of getting to the national championship, and playing for the SEC championship,” Smith said. “But we do understand the importance of each game.”
Though D’Angelo hopes the Gamecocks walk away with two more victories this weekend, she also hopes the team will continue growing. Facing two teams who have always given them trouble, South Carolina’s chemistry will be one of the deciding factors of both games, she said.
“Going into this weekend, we want to continue to win and do well and grow as a team,” D’Angelo said. “I think that’s the most important thing … if we’re not growing as a team and getting better, we’re not going to beat teams in the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament.”