Gamecocks Handle Samford in NCAA Tournament Opener
Samantha Chang, Luciana Zullo and Riley Tanner all contributed goals helping Carolina advance to the second round for the fourth straight year.
Samantha Chang, Luciana Zullo and Riley Tanner all contributed goals helping Carolina advance to the second round for the fourth straight year.
Lawson, the team’s top returning scorer from last season, had a 3-pointer and a three-point play in the first two minutes of the second half as the Gamecocks opened 3-0 for the first time since their Final Four season of 2016-17.
The Gamecocks, who drew a No. 2 seed, will host Samford in the tournament’s opening round this weekend with the date and time to be announced later. Any broadcast schedule has yet to be determined.
The Gamecocks (2-0) never trailed in the game, but held off a strong Terrapin (1-1) second half to deliver the top-five victory.
The Gamecocks shut out every opponent they faced in the SEC Tournament, defeating Georgia 1-0, Vanderbilt 2-0 and No. 6 Arkansas 1-0 on their way to the title.
Lawson, who also earned All-SEC Freshman Team accolades from the coaches last March, posted 18 double-figure scoring games last season, and had eight games with five or more assists, while leading or sharing the team lead in scoring 12 times.
South Carolina seniors Grace Fisk and Mikayla Krzeczowski both earned major SEC season awards to lead six Gamecocks recognized by the league on Sunday. Fisk was named Co-Defender of the Year while Krzeczowski earned the SEC’s first Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Israel Mukuamu snagged three interceptions and Javon Kinlaw recorded four tackles and a sack in South Carolina’s upset win over No. 3 Georgia.