The University of South Carolina women’s soccer team defeated Alabama 4-1 in the second round of the SEC Tournament to advance to the semifinals.
A quarterfinal matchup in Pensacola, Florida, saw the Gamecocks make the most of an extra week of rest. The team received a bye after finishing fourth in the regular season standings.
The Gamecocks entered the match as the No. 17 team in the country with an 8-2-7 record, having already beaten Alabama 3-1 at Stone Stadium earlier in the season.
Alabama began the game with a high press which is a tactic where the defending team pressures the team high up the pitch, pressure that South Carolina welcomed. The Gamecocks were able to carefully establish its rhythm, finding the space behind and between Alabama’s backline.
Freshman forward Katie Shea Collins found herself through on goal early 10 minutes in, with a shot towards the left side of the goal saved by the reaching Alabama goalkeeper Coralie Lallier.
The Gamecocks opened the scoring with a goal in the 11th minute on the ensuing corner. A standing header by sophomore defender Amanda Patrick redirected the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead, her first career goal. Sophomore midfielder Cuyler Zulauf made the assist, curving the ball into the six-yard box to find the head of Patrick.
With the ball breaking to South Carolina possession in midfield, Collins dribbled the ball past Alabama’s backline using her strength and speed to advance past Alabama defenders, with her touch in the box going just wide past the goalkeeper.
In the 32nd minute, a through ball sent Collins in behind the Alabama defense. She was taken down from behind by a defender, who clipped her left foot, initiating contact and conceding a penalty.
Senior forward Catherine Barry scored with a shot into the left side of the goal in the 32nd minute, sending the goalkeeper the other way. Barry continued her clinical form in front of the goal with the penalty, her sixth goal in her last seven appearances, giving the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead.
Alabama came out aggressive to start the second half, with two dangerous shots on target forcing junior goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis into two saves. In the 50th minute, the Gamecocks avoided a possible handball, with the ball hitting fifth year forward Corinna Zullo under her arm. The referee went to the monitor and quickly waved away the claim.
With 32 minutes left to play, Alabama was searching for a goal to get back into the game, finding themselves with 7 shots and 3 on target. In a more urgent effort to win the ball back, Alabama attempted to outnumber the Gamecock ball carrier, committing 15 fouls in the process.
The Gamecocks regained more of a foothold as the second half dragged on, playing carefully in possession, getting up field and reestablishing themselves.
In the 74th minute, sophomore forward Autumn Cayelli secured the victory for the Gamecocks with a long shot from outside the 18-yard box. Cayelli extended the Gamecock advantage to 3-0, curling the ball into the top right corner from a distance.
With 6 minutes to play, Barry was fouled after turning around an Alabama defender. Barry scored her second penalty of the game with a finish into the top left corner, her 15th goal of the season.
In the 84th minute, Alabama was able to grab a consolation goal from the penalty spot, cutting the lead to 4-1.
Getting forward on the counter
Neither team controlled possession, although South Carolina made the most of its chances on the counterattack. South Carolina attempted to bypass Alabama’s press in its half by playing long balls directly into the team's outlets, Barry and Collins.
Barry finds her name on the Mac Hermann Trophy Watchlist which is awarded to the top player in the country in collegiate soccer. Barry’s name on the list signifies her role as not only an crucial player on the SC team but one of the elite players in all of women’s collegiate soccer.
Collins is also a member of the 2024 All-SEC Freshman Team.
The two received vertical passes throughout the match as attacking accomplices, with the duo playing off of each other, notably using the dynamic pace of Collins on the break and the buildup ability of Barry.
Barry’s physicality and movement won the second penalty, while Collins’ agility created the first two goalscoring opportunities. Their performances proved to be the difference.
A tale of two halves
South Carolina played with a much more commanding presence in the first half, however Alabama proved challenging in the second half.
In the first half, the Gamecocks had a total of 7 shots, with 5 shots on goal, compared to Alabama’s 3 and 0 on target.
South Carolina found itself sitting back more in the second half, with Alabama producing 9 shots and 7 on target, although only 3 of these came beyond the 60th minute.
In a contrast to the first half, both South Carolina & Alabama finished the game with 12 total shots and 7 on target each.
Despite the Crimson Tide’s threatening efforts, the Gamecocks were able to reassert itself with 2 goals in 10 minutes to solidify its progress to the semifinals.
Consistent lineup
The Gamecocks lined up in a 4-1-3-2 formation to start the game, positions which was maintained as the team sought to neutralize Alabama’s 4-4-2 setup with four midfielders.
Throughout the match, the Crimson Tide attempted to exploit the wide areas and wing territory, pushing the team's fullbacks high into the half space and trying to fill the zones around the opposition box.
South Carolina dropped back, with fullbacks defending the wide channels and overloads, meeting Alabama’s playmakers at the top of the box with several successful tackles. The Gamecocks' fullbacks attempted to support the press and create turnovers, often pushing forward to win the ball back early in the wide areas where Alabama operated, protecting its defensive half.
The Crimson Tide resorted to multiple long-range shots.
Nine players who started for the Gamecocks totaled 34 minutes or more in the first 45 minutes of the game.
In the first 30 minutes of the game, Alabama had made five subs while South Carolina had made none. In the 17th minute, junior defender Micah Bryant came in as a substitute at fullback along with senior defender Emma Bucci, the first of the changes for the Gamecocks.
All 11 starters for the Gamecocks played for 60 minutes or more, with seven collecting at least 70 minutes.
However, 10 substitutes did feature for the Gamecocks as starters were rested later on in preparation for a rematch with No. 2 ranked Mississippi State.
What’s next?
The Gamecocks will take on No. 2 Mississippi State in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Nov. 7, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network & ESPN.