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No. 7 Gamecocks Edge Irish, 2-1

The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team (6-1) dropped its first contest of the season 2-1 to No. 7 South Carolina Thursday night at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium.

Box Score (PDF)

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team (6-1) dropped its first contest of the season, 2-1, to No. 7 South Carolina Thursday night at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium.

The game had a little bit of everything as both teams started well before the game got delayed due to lightning in the first half. Following the restart, South Carolina (6-0) netted the only goal late in the first half after a questionable penalty kick was called after the ball was deflected off Jade Gosar’s arm in the box. Patten scored off the penalty for South Carolina and it was the only goal in the game until the Gamecocks added an insurance goal in the 81st minute. 

Alexis Martel-Lamothe got the Irish on the scoreboard in the 89th minute with her first goal of the year. The Irish continued to push for the equalizer but the clock hit 00:00 and South Carolina ended up with the win.

How it Happened

The Irish had a strong chance early in the first half when they earned a corner kick in the 14th minute. 

Eva Hurm sent the kick deep towards the far post. As it was heading to the end line and going out, Autumn Smithers flicked it back towards the six yard box. Jade Gosar had position on her defender and got a shot off but it was saved by Krzeczowski.

The Irish continued its push into the offensive third and had the early lead in shots before the game was delayed in the 28th minute due to lighting in the area.

Once play resumed after a 36-minute stoppage, both teams took a few minutes to get back into the flow of the game.

In the final five minutes of the Gamecocks played a ball up and looked to cross it back towards the middle of the box. The ball deflected off Gosar’s arm that was down by her side but the referee signaled for a penalty kick. Patten took the kick from the spot for the Gamecocks and finished it off for the first goal of the match.

In the second half, the Gamecock defense limited the Irish chances in the offensive third and they were unable to score the equalizer.

As the game was winding down, the Gamecocks got an equalizer in the 81st minute after a deflection got on the foot of Luciana Zullo and she slotted in the back of the net for the goal.

Martel-Lamothe gave the Irish some life in waning minutes, scoring her first goal of the season. A late Irish corner deflected off a number of Gamecock defenders and dropped in front of Martel-Lamothe. She fired a low shot and it hit the back of the net before the keeper could react.

Coming Up Next

The Irish will head back to campus for their first home game in two weeks when they host the Iowa Hawkeyes for a Sunday matinee at Alumni Stadium. Sunday’s match against Iowa will kickoff at 1 p.m. ET and it will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.

For behind-the-scenes coverage of the Irish women’s soccer program, follow @NDSoccer on Twitter and @NDWSoccer on Instagram. For tickets to a Notre Dame women’s soccer match, click here.

—ND—