March 21, 2008

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - The South Carolina women's soccer team played its second exhibition of the spring season and defeated the College of Charleston 1-0 at Patriots Point field in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Four-time All-SEC selection Ashley Kirk scored the lone goal of the match, hitting a 25-yard strike in the 64th minute of play to score the gamewinner.

"I thought we played much better in the second half," South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith said. "Our team made adjustments after halftime and created more on the attack. We weren't creating opportunities (early) and in the second half we did a much better job creating off the ball."

The Gamecocks improve to 2-0 during the spring season as the team continues to work on improvements as it gets ready for the 2008 season this fall. Coach Smith has used the competition to move players around the field and get a chance to see players in action that missed the 2007 season with injuries.

"We did a good job to limit their opportunities," Smith said. "The team is playing together well. People are adjusting well to what is asked of them. It's a good spring to work on our chemistry."

Carolina will continue its spring season next Monday, March 31, when they host Davidson at Stone Stadium. The exhibition between the Gamecocks and Wildcats is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.