South Carolina women’s soccer to open NCAA Tournament against Alabama State

South Carolina’s knack for the historic will continue in the NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks picked up their first-ever #1 seed in the 64-team event this afternoon, meaning that they have earned the right to host play at Stone Stadium all the way through the quarterfinals. Alabama State will visit Columbia on Friday evening at 7pm.

The Hornets, the automatic qualifier by virtue of their SWAC tournament title and headed to their first NCAA appearance, finished with a 11-9-1 overall mark and a 7-2-1 record in conference play. Twin sisters Ariela and Aaliyah Lewis have combined for 29 goals and 75 points on the season, while Gianna Guyot has had the lion’s share in net, recording a 1.61 goals against average and two shutouts in 19 games. The Hornets are tied with Monmouth as the nation’s highest scoring team (2.95 goals a game), recording a pair of eight and nine goal games this season.

Of note: the Gamecocks are on the same quadrant of the bracket as Clemson. If both teams run the table, the Tigers and Gamecocks will meet at Stone Stadium in a few weeks with a shot at the Women’s College Cup semifinals on the line.