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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
9-2-1, 2-2SEC
No. 3 South Carolina
10-1, 4-0SEC
No. 18 Rebels Fall to No. 3 Gamecocks 2-0
9/29/2017 | Soccer
OXFORD, Miss. - In the first top 20 home matchup in school history, No. 18 Ole Miss fell to No. 3 South Carolina, 2-0, Friday night at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium.
An early goal within the first 10 minutes, and a second early in the second half, proved to be the difference as the Gamecocks (10-1, 4-0 SEC) maintained first place in the SEC, while the Rebels (9-2-1, 2-2 SEC) drop to 2-2 in the league.
South Carolina controlled the opening minutes offensively, posting 11 shots within the first 45 minutes. Three of those were on goal, including Elexa Bahr's strike at the 9:11 mark. Savannah McCaskill played to her from the 18-yard box, before Bahr flicked it in from the far corner of the box giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Ole Miss had a good look in the 25th minute when Mary Kate Smith put a cross in from the near side, CeCe Kizer one-touched, and Julia Phillips posted a left-footed attempt that was saved straight on by the keeper.
The Rebels went on to post four shots in the opening period, three of which were on target, as the Gamecocks held a 1-0 lead at the half. Coming out of the break, the Rebels had one of their best chances of the night when CeCe Kizer created space in the box, then punched a left-footed attempt that was blocked just in front of the goal.
South Carolina made it 2-0 in the 59th minute when Ryan Gareis punched one in from the corner of the penalty box, capping the scoring on the night.
For the Rebels, three of the shots were on goal, including one each from Phillips, Chanel Thomas and Molly Martin. The Gamecocks totaled 19 with five on target. Rebel goalkeeper Marnie Merritt made three saves on the night, fighting off the Gamecock attack.
Kickers
- Friday night's contest with No. 3 South Carolina marked the first top 20 home matchup in school history, and the 15th time to host a top 10 opponent in Oxford.
- It also marked the Rebels' second contest against a top 10 team this season as the Gamecocks were No. 1 in the RPI this week.
- Rebel goalkeeper Marnie Merritt tied her season high with three saves on the evening.
Up Next
No. 18 Ole Miss returns to SEC play next Thursday, Oct. 5, at No. 25 Tennessee at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
Team Stats
BAHR, Elexa (5)
Assisted By: MCCASKILL, Savannah
cross in from 18-yd box, 7-yd flick in f
9:11
GAREIS, Ryan (2)
by herself from penalty box on far side
59:38
