Soccer Earns First League Point in 2-2 Draw Against No. 23 South Carolina

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss grinded out their first conference point of the season in a 2-2 draw against No. 23 South Carolina on Sunday. The Rebels were led by goals from sophomore Kate Smith and senior Kelly Brady.

Head Coach Molly Rouse’s thoughts on the game:

“Today’s game showed how close we’ve been all year long. It showcased the character of this group and their ability to fight given the adversity they’ve faced this season. To grind out a point against a quality top 25 opponent at this point in the season is massive for this team. Given the way we competed today, it builds a lot of confidence given the opponents we have to face down the stretch towards the end of the regular season.”

On Kelly Brady being able to convert the late penalty in the match:

“The play with Kelly is a testament of this team’s ability to learn from the adversity they’ve faced this season. The same exact play happened Thursday night in Missouri, and she wasn’t able to convert. She owned it, learned from it, and was able to respond when we needed it. It was a tremendous save by their keeper but Kelly’s ability to remain composed and connect on the rebound speaks to her maturity and growth as a player.”

South Carolina jumped out in front early taking a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. Carolina’s Katie Shae Collins went the length of the field and found the back of the net for her seventh goal of the season.

Ole Miss would respond in the 40th minute with a goal off the foot of Kate Smith. Smith lobbed a beautiful shot over the fingertips of keeper Christina Tsaousis’s head, finding the back of the net, tying the match at 1-1.

The game remained all square until South Carolina drew a penalty on a handball inside the box in the 75th minute. Senior Cat Barry stepped up and converted the penalty, putting Carolina up 2-1 with 15 minutes to play.

Ole Miss remained composed and drew the exact same scenario in the 85th minute when a handball was called inside the box on the Gamecocks, setting up a chance for the Rebels.

Kelly Brady stood over the ball and delivered a shot that was saved by Tsaousis, but Brady remained composed and connected on the rebound tying the match at two with five minutes remaining.

Neither team was able to find the winning goal over the final five minutes of play. South Carolina held a slight advantage in shots (13-10) and shots on goal (6-5).

The goal for Kate Smith marked her second of the season. Brady is now tied for the team lead in goals with four on the year.

The last time Ole Miss earned a conference point against a top 25 opponent came in Columbia last season at No. 15 South Carolina. That game also marked the last time Ole Miss drew in a match with the Rebels and Gamecocks ending in a 0-0 draw on October 13, 2023.

Ole Miss (5-10-1, 0-6-1 SEC) remains home and will host No. 4 Mississippi State next Friday, October 18th. The in-state battle will kick off at 7 p.m. CT with Jake Hromada (pxp) and Ian Banner (analyst) on the call for SEC Network+.

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Team Stats

Kelly Brady

Kate Smith

Kayla Keefer

Lauren Montgomery

The University of Mississippi Athletics