Gamecock Soccer Shuts Out Tigers Again

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — Freshman Danielle Au had her coming out party and MAC Hermann Trophy Award candidate Kayla Grimsley hit the game winner to lead No. 21 South Carolina (4-1-1) to a 2-0 shutout of rival and previously unbeaten Clemson (5-1-0) in front of 3,017 fans at Stone Stadium.

Grimsley notched her second goal of the year in the 52nd minute to lead Carolina to its third consecutive victory against the Tigers. In that three-match span, the Gamecocks have outscored Clemson 8-0 with Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award nominee Mollie Patton earning the shutouts in all three rivalry matches. The shutout gives Patton four on the year and moves her to within seven shutouts of claiming the all-time SEC record.

Au scored the insurance goal in the 66th minute off an assist from classmate Elizabeth Sinclair. The goal was the first of Au’s career and seemed fitting after the game she played against the Tigers with six shots on goal, including a strike in the 55th that clanged off the top of the post.

Clemson freshman goalkeeper Lauren Arnold took the loss in the net with eight saves. The Gamecock defense stifled the Tigers throughout the night in claiming a 22-5 shot advantage, including a 10-5 edge in shots on goal and an 11-3 differential in corner kicks.