The American University women’s soccer team (0-5-1) lost 2-0 to the #10 University of South Carolina (6-0-1) on Sept. 4. This was the first time in 13 years American women’s soccer played a nationally ranked team.
The Eagles entered the game off the back of two consecutive losses, one at home against the Howard University Bison on Aug. 28, and away at the William and Mary Tribe on Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks came into this match after a draw at local rival Clemson on Aug. 28 and a win at home against the Georgia State Panthers on Aug. 31.
American came out of the gate sluggish, committing numerous bad touches and turnovers as they were pinned in their own defensive third by an aggressive South Carolina. For the opening 10 minutes, South Carolina was on the attack but the Eagles were able to keep them out through good defense. In the 12th minute, the Gamecocks capitalized on the momentum and scored to take a 1-0 lead.
Senior goalkeeper Tamera Taylor-Moore came up huge in the first half with two big saves, keeping the scoreline at 1-0. In the last 10 minutes of the first half, American finally managed to maintain possession. This led to the Eagles’ best chance to score during the game, when a South Carolina back pass was intercepted, and led to a shot by sophomore forward Maddie Hurowitz, which forced a save from the Gamecock keeper.
The second half began similarly to the first half. The South Carolina pressure led to a 2nd goal within the first 10 minutes of the half. Taylor-Moore made a good initial save before the ball spilled out right to Gamecocks freshman forward Mackenzie Johnson, who converted it home, giving the away side a 2-0 lead.
Now down 2-0, the Eagles came out of their shell and sustained more possession, posing more of a threat offensively than in the first half. The defense held out for the rest of the half with Taylor-Moore coming up big with 5 saves in the second half, while the Eagles could only manage 1 shot on goal compared to the Gamecocks’ 9. South Carolina also had 10 corner kicks to the Eagles’ solitary corner kick.
Six Eagles from the starting 11 played all 90 minutes, Taylor-Moore, junior defender Bella Vozar, senior defender Eliza Fisher, senior midfielder Avery Klingensmith, freshman defender Natalia Croce, and senior midfielder Phoebe Merrigan. Vozar and Croce made some key tackles and clearances to prevent the Gamecocks from scoring
Head coach Marsha Harper gave credit to South Carolina, saying, “Any time you get to play one of the top teams in the country, you take it… They are a well-coached team, and historically have been good on both ends of the ball.”
The Eagles were solid defensively throughout the majority of the game however, the relentless Gamecocks achieved at reducing the chances to score that the Eagles had throughout the game. As for improvements, Harper said “being more patient and organized defensively and being more intentional about how we attack [go forward]”.
The Eagles go on the road next to face George Mason University next Sunday, Sept. 14.
This article was edited by Connor Sturniolo, Penelope Jennings and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Ariana Kavoossi and Emma Brown.
