Aug. 20, 2005

Durham, N.C. – Mary Worthen and Courtney Cobbs each scored goals as the South Carolina women’s soccer team defeated ninth ranked Duke 2-0 on Saturday evening in an exhibition match. The victory gives the Gamecocks a second victory in the preseason as Carolina heads into its season opener at home on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. vs. Mercer at Stone Stadium.

“From the start of the match we competed and did the things we needed to do to win the match,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “We were a team tonight; the players supported each other and understood their roles on the field. I’m real proud of everyone on our team. Duke is extremely talented and it is a confidence boost for us and our young players. We hope to build off this in the regular season and be able to compete like this against each opponent.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Lindsay Thorstenson played all 90 minutes in goal to earn the victory and shutout for USC. Thorstenson finished the evening with five saves. South Carolina went ahead 1-0 in the first half at 31:51 as Worthen put the Gamecocks on the scoreboard off an assist from freshman Alex Mouton and junior Darcel Mollon. Carolina increased its lead to two goals in the second half with Courtney Cobbs scoring in the 64th minute of play with an assist from another newcomer, Kim Boulos. Mollon also had her second assist of the night on Cobbs’ goal.

“Kim Boulos had a great service that she played across, we were able to keep the ball alive and it came to Cobbs, who took the touch down and got it past the goalkeeper,” said Smith.

Live audio broadcast and live gametracker stats for Friday’s match vs. Mercer will be available at www.uscsports.com.