Sep 8, 2013
Final Box Score
SMU Season Stats
COLUMBIA, S.C. (SMU) - The SMU Mustangs had opportunities to score, but ultimately could not convert as they lost to South Carolina 2-0 in Columbia, S.C. on Sunday afternoon.
SMU drops to 3-3 on the season, while South Carolina improves to 5-0-1. SMU returns home to face rival TCU on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Down 1-0 early in the second half, the Mustangs' maintained strong offensive possession for much of the second half, with their best chance coming after Rikki Clarke was able to make a move on a Gamecocks defender just inside the right side of the box. Clarke beat her defender, who then took Clarke down, earning the junior a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Clarke set and aimed for the lower left post, but South Carolina goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo met the ball and prevented the tying goal.
"It was a big moment," Head Coach Chris Petrucelli said. "Against teams like this, you're not going to get many chances, so you have to capitalize when you do. I thought (Clarke) took it well, but the keeper read it well."
The match was scoreless at halftime, but the Gamecocks quickly got on the scoreboard in the second half, with Bay Daniel giving the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. South Carolina then padded its lead in the 80th minute with Raina Johnson's third goal of the season.
Briana Gaines had a nice scoring chance in the 90th minute, as she received a cross at the near post from the right side and just nudged the ball wide of the post.
For tickets to SMU's home match against TCU on Thursday, click here. The Mustangs are undefeated against its cross-town rival, going 26-0-2 all-time against the Horned Frogs. Last season in Fort Worth, Shelby Redman gave SMU a 2-1 win with a 30-yard buzzer-beating goal.
