The South Carolina women’s soccer team picked up a 6-0 victory over the East Carolina Pirates Friday night, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Neither team generated shots during the opening minutes of the match, as both squads exchanged possession and passed the ball back and forth.
Gamecock fifth-year forward Catherine Barry recorded the first shot of the match in the 10th minute, but the shot was saved by graduate student goalkeeper Maeve English. East Carolina responded with a shot of their own from senior forward Samantha Moxie that missed the goal seconds later.
The Gamecocks followed that attempt with a shot on goal from fifth-year midfielder Brianna Behm that was saved by East Carolina in the 14th minute. South Carolina continued to apply pressure on the Pirates' defense with three more consecutive shots in the next six minutes.
Freshman forward Katie Shae Collins dribbled the ball near the goal and scored to give the Gamecocks an early 1-0 lead. Following the first goal, Barry scored another goal off of a penalty kick after a foul inside the box to double the lead for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina continued to maintain control offensively against East Carolina to close out the first half. The Gamecocks held the Pirates to one shot and one corner kick in the first half, which ended 2-0 in favor of the Gamecocks.
To open the second half, South Carolina attempted two shots from sophomore midfielder Reagan Schubach and Collins.
In the 54th minute, Barry scored the third goal of the game off a deflection from East Carolina. Barry’s goal was the 51st of her career as a Gamecock.
Her goal made her the all-time leader in goals scored for South Carolina. The previous record was held by Jennie Ondo, who played for South Carolina from 1996 to 1999.
South Carolina maintained offensive control of the match, and fifth-year forward Corinna Zulio dribbled the ball near the goal. She passed it to Collins, who scored the Gamecocks’ fourth goal of the night.
East Carolina found a momentum boost in the 61st minute when sophomore midfielder Reagan Schubach missed a penalty kick 16 minutes into the half. East Carolina would attempt their second shot of the game soon afterward but missed, leaving the Pirates scoreless.
With 10 minutes left in the game, Barry assisted Collins, who scored her third goal of the night to put the Gamecocks up 5-0 over East Carolina.
South Carolina earned another penalty kick in the 82nd minute. Fifth-year goalkeeper Taylor Fox took the kick and buried it, giving the Gamecocks a 6-0 with 9 minutes to go.
The Pirates attempted one final shot to avoid being shut out but missed wide right of the goal to end the game.
Defensive efforts
Coming into the matchup, East Carolina had scored in its past seven games. South Carolina shut out the Pirates for its fifth clean sheet of the year and allowed only three shots.
The Gamecocks kept the Pirates away from the goal by intercepting passes around midfield and holding possession of the ball on offense for most of the second half.
Collins' hat trick in first tournament appearance
Collins scored three goals on five shots in her first NCAA tournament appearance. This marked her second hat trick of the season, with the first coming in her first career start for the Gamecocks against the Furman Paladins in the team’s season opener.
Collins credited her success to her teammates and the preparation they put in.
“It was a surreal feeling,” Collins said. “It’s amazing because whoever steps on the field whether it’s starters or subs, they give you the ball, they do amazing and they put in the work.”
Record breaking game for Barry
Saturday’s match was Barry’s 100th appearance in her collegiate career. She has been a key part to South Carolina’s success this year as the team’s leading scorer and assist leader this season.
Barry said her current and former teammates played an important role in her earning that distinction.
“That’s an amazing accomplishment,” Barry said. “It’s really a testament to everyone I’ve played with and all the coaches that have poured into me over the years.”
What’s Next?
South Carolina will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where it will take on No. 6 seed Minnesota. A date and time for the match have yet to be determined.