WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's soccer team defeated the No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Shaw Field. With the win, GU improves to 3-1-2 while South Carolina slides to 6-1-1.
 
Head Coach Dave Nolan
"The most important thing today was the result, coming off a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt, where I felt we deserved to get a little more out of the game, it was great to secure a big result today. We knew this was kind of our last chance in nonconference play to get a result against a high RPI team and a highly ranked team which just strengthens our NCAA resume.
 
I thought we played really well, the first half was quite even, and we got the penalty kick which looked to be a genuine penalty. Unfortunate for them when their kid extended the hand but that is the rule. Natalie stepped up and was able to calmly finish it. In the first half I thought they had a little bit more of it than we wanted, they were winning a lot of 50/50 balls. At halftime I said to our kids that this is going to be a difficult game if we don't win our duels. The second half we really stepped up to the physical side of it and were able to create more chances. We probably should have had a second, Maja Lardner was very dangerous today, Natalie Means and Esme Brayshaw were spectacular. I have to give a lot of credit to Isabel Boodell and Kaya Hanson, Isabel is only getting back to full game fitness, and I thought she stepped into a highly charged game and was tremendous for us, she didn't miss a tackle all day. Both of our outside backs did a good job today and I am proud of our group and the result. We look forward to another good midweek game against Bucknell on Thursday."
 
 
About the Match

• GU came out of the gates pressing South Carolina and was able to create a few early turnovers. In the first 20 minutes of action, GU was able to record three shots to South Carolina's one, but was unable to find the back of the net.
• In the 30th minute, South Carolina had a fantastic opportunity, ripping a shot from just outside the box. Cara Martin fully extended to cover the post as the ball just trickled wide.
• In the 39th minute, GU earned a penalty on a South Carolina handball in the box. Natalie Means stepped up to take it and hammered her shot into the bottom left corner giving the Blue & Gray and 1-0 advantage.
• GU took the 1-0 lead into the break.
• Georgetown dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half as the ball was in the South Carolina half the majority of the time. In the first 20 minutes, GU outshot the Gamecocks 3-0.
• The Blue & Gray were able to fend off South Carolina's comeback efforts over the final 25 minutes, securing a 1-0 victory over the No. 10 team in the country.

 
Notable Stats

• Means scored her first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the first half.
• Martin tallied her second clean sheet of the season in goal.
• GU outshot South Carolina 10-9.
• The Blue & Gray held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
• Georgetown now has two ranked wins on its resume.

 
WHAT LIES AHEAD
The Blue & Gray will return to action on Thursday, September 11 as the Hoyas travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania to face Bucknell. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and a link to live stats and a live stream will be available on GUHoyas.com.