The No. 3 seed South Carolina women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 upset loss to No. 6 seed Minnesota in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon.
The first half of the match had a lively tempo, with both teams creating scoring opportunities early in the contest.
The game got off to a quick start when Minnesota’s graduate student midfielder Sophia Boman tested Gamecock junior goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis with a shot in the third minute. South Carolina responded with a shot from fifth-year midfielder Brianna Behm that was saved by Minnesota sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin.
The Gamecocks took the lead in the eighth minute when freshman forward Katie Shea Collins scored off an assist from fifth-year forward Corinna Zullo. South Carolina continued to pressure the Minnesota defense with several shots on goal, including a pair from Collins and Zullo.
Minnesota had a few chances of its own, but Tsaousis was up to the task, making several saves to preserve the Gamecocks' 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half of the match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Minnesota came out strong, with senior forward Khyah Harper testing Tsaousis with a shot in the 48th minute.
The Golden Gophers continued to pile pressure on the Gamecocks’ defense, and in the 56th minute, it was rewarded with an equalizer when Boman tied the game 1-1 with a penalty kick goal. Minnesota eventually took the lead 13 minutes later when graduate student midfielder/forward Sophia Romine scored from a distance, allowing the Golden Gophers to gain its first lead of the match.
South Carolina pushed hard to equalize over the final 20 minutes of the match with several shots on goal but couldn't find the back of the net. The game ended with Minnesota winning 2-1, with the Golden Gophers outshooting the Gamecocks 16-15 over the course of the match.
Major saves from Tsaousis
Despite the loss, Tsaousis had a standout performance for the Gamecocks. Tsaousis made six saves, including several stops crucial to keeping her team in the game. She consistently thwarted Minnesota’s scoring attempts and kept the Gamecocks within striking distance, even when its offense was not producing on the other end of the pitch.
Shaky second half
The second half was marked by a series of miscues and missteps for the Gamecocks. The team committed eight fouls, several of which came in critical areas of the field. This lack of discipline allowed Minnesota to gain momentum and create scoring opportunities, which it capitalized on with two goals.
The Gamecocks’ offense also struggled to find its rhythm in the second half, managing just four shots compared to Minnesota’s 12. The Golden Gophers also logged six shots on goal, while South Carolina recorded zero.
This contrast in play came after South Carolina out-shot Minnesota 11-4 in the first half despite both teams having two shots on goal each.
Struggles on defense
The Gamecocks’ defense struggled to contain Minnesota’s offense throughout the match, ultimately allowing two goals and surrendering 16 shots, half of which were on goal. The Gamecocks’ defense committed 14 total fouls, including several in or near the penalty area that led to scoring opportunities for Minnesota.
Despite Tsaousis’s best efforts, the Gamecocks’ defense was unable to hold strong, and Minnesota’s relentless attack eventually wore them down, resulting in the 2-1 loss.
What's next?
The South Carolina women's soccer team has been eliminated from NCAA Tournament play and will begin preparations for next season.