9 hours ago
South Carolina Athletics
Photo: South Carolina Athletics
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two goals from junior midfielder Lily Render helped boost the No. 16 South Carolina women’s soccer team (12-2-6) past James Madison (9-5-8) in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday, Nov. 10 at Stone Stadium.
Offense came early and often for Carolina as the Gamecocks generated six shots in the first 22 minutes of action. In the 24th minute, senior forward Corinna Zullo served a ball into the box to Render who found the back of the net putting Carolina up 1-0. The duo wasted little time as six minutes later in the 30th, Zullo served another ball into the box and Render scored her second goal of the night making it 2-0. Carolina outshot the Dukes 8-1 in the first half, and 4-0 in shots-on-goal.
The Gamecocks generated 11 more shots in the second half, seven of them being on target. The back line remained locked in for the final 45 blocking several shots in the JMU attacking zone. Graduate midfielder Hollyn Torres contributed key minutes winning multiple possession battles in both halves along the midfield line.
Fifth-year keeper Heather Hinz had an outstanding game making a pair of saves on the night including a one-on-one matchup against JMU forward London Lewis. The Carolina back line along with Hinz secured the team’s 13th shutout of the season.
NOTABLES
Junior midfielder Lily Render scored both goals, collecting the first brace of her career. The pair of goals were her 3rd and 4th of the season Senior forward Corinna Zullo assisted on both of Render’s goals on the night. It marks her first game of the season collecting multiple assists, her previous coming against Ole Miss in Nov. of 2022. South Carolina had advantages in shots (19-7), shots-on-goal (11-2) and corners (4-1). Fifth-year keeper Heather Hinz and the Gamecock back line secured their 13th shutout of the season. Hinz has allowed just five goals since Sept. 15 and has made 45 saves.
