Gamecocks win first SEC crown in dramatic fashion

From staff reports

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- The South Carolina women's soccer team won the Southeastern Conference tournament title with an 8-7 edge in penalty kicks over LSU at the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Sunday.

The title is the first in program history and the first SEC title won by a South Carolina team since the baseball team claimed the 2004 tournament title.

“It's unbelievable,” coach Shelley Smith said. “It just shows the heart these guys have had. You don't want it to be too dramatic, but it's well-deserved today. They played their hearts out, battled and never gave up. That's what this game is all about. I'm so happy for the seniors and the whole team. They deserve that championship.”

Tournament MVP Blakely Mattern scored the tying goal with two minutes remaining, and the Gamecocks (17-3-2) held on for the first penalty-kick shootout game in an SEC final since the 2003 season.

“I'm speechless,” Mattern said. “My team has fought so hard since we've been here and all season to get to this point. To be down a goal and to come back with two minutes left shows heart. That's what we've shown all week. I'm so proud of our team and how hard we worked to never give up. I knew it was in us, and I knew we could win. I couldn't be happier for this senior class that has put in so much for four years.”

Four Gamecocks were named to the all-tournament team as South Carolina earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. In addition to Mattern, Kayla Grimsley, Kim Miller and Lindsay Small were selected to the team to cap the historic weekend for the program.

“We have good leadership and experience,” Smith said. “They learned from the mistakes they made through the season. The losses make you stronger if you deal with them properly. They reacted the way they needed to and took care of business here at the SEC tournament. We couldn't be prouder as a coaching staff.”