The South Carolina women's soccer team is looking to build on a 2024 campaign that saw them reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Excitement for the return of South Carolina sporting events reaches a crescendo in late August, when a number of teams begin their respective seasons. While football drives much of that attention, a different variety of “football” will truly kick off the 2025-26 athletics campaign.
The Gamecock women’s soccer program, looking to build on the success it experienced last year, will begin its 25th season under head coach Shelley Smith on Thursday. South Carolina is set to take on the College of Charleston in a road matchup that will be streamed on FloSports at 7 p.m.
Here’s a look ahead at the team’s 2025 campaign.
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2024 season recap
But first, let’s go back in time.
The Gamecocks were predicted to finish tied for third in the SEC (alongside Georgia) last preseason. There ultimately was not a tie third place in the conference standings, but South Carolina found themselves in fourth by the end of the regular season. The team finished the campaign with an 11-4-7 (W-L-T) record, including a 5-2-3 mark in SEC play.
South Carolina began the 2024 season with a nine-game unbeaten run, during which it recorded five wins and four ties. The highlights of the Gamecocks’ non-conference schedule included 5-1 and 6-0 victories over Furman and Georgia State, respectively, and a 1-1 draw against then-No. 25 Clemson.
South Carolina then experienced its first setback of the season in a 2-0 loss to then-No. 1 Arkansas. The Gamecocks quickly recovered, going on a six-game stretch without a loss before falling to then-No. 2 Mississippi State in their final match of the regular season.
Dominant postseason wins over Alabama and Mississippi State brought South Carolina to its third SEC Tournament Championship game in six years. USC couldn’t finish the job, though, in a 1-0 loss to Texas.
Despite their deep run in the conference tournament, the Gamecocks’ stay in the NCAA Tournament ended prematurely. After a 6-0 win over Eastern Carolina in the first round, South Carolina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota in the second.
2025 preseason polls and accolades
Now, back to the present.
The SEC released its 2025 preseason coaches poll on Wednesday. Just like last season, the Gamecocks found themselves near the top of the rankings. South Carolina is predicted to finish third in the conference this season, behind only Arkansas and Texas.
The Gamecocks will begin the campaign as one of the top teams in the country, too. South Carolina appeared at No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches’ preseason poll released on July 31.
As far as individual accolades go, a number of Gamecocks appeared on United Soccer Coaches and SEC preseason watch lists.
United Soccer Coaches listed defender Gracie Falla, midfielder Emilie Castagna and forward Katie Shea Collins as players to watch at their respective positions. Falla and Collins both appeared on the SEC’s preseason watch list alongside four teammates – goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis, forward/defender Micah Bryant, forward/midfielder Reagan Schubach and midfielder Cuyler Zulauf.
Three players to watch
Katie Shea Collins – The 2023-24 Gatorade Tennessee Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Collins starred during her freshman season last year. She appeared in 19 games in 2024 (including 18 starts), scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 1,310 minutes. Her goal-scoring total put her second on the team (and in the conference as a whole) behind Catherine Barry’s 18. With Barry now in the professional ranks, Collins will be the Gamecocks’ sole target forward.
Gracie Falla – Falla has provided a consistent presence along South Carolina’s defensive line since her true freshman campaign. She started all 21 of the games she appeared in last year, leading the team in minutes played (1,835). She also recorded her first two collegiate assists, one of which came during the postseason against East Carolina.
Christina Tsaousis – Tsaousis will serve as a team captain alongside Falla in 2025. Last year was Tsaousis’ first as the Gamecocks’ starting goalkeeper, and she made the most of the opportunity, starting all 22 of the team’s matches between the sticks. She finished the season with 76 saves (fourth in the SEC), a 78.4% save percentage (sixth) and four shutouts.
Three important games on 2025 schedule
Aug. 28, away at Clemson – Palmetto Series matchups always have high stakes, and this one is no different. What makes this matchup even more intriguing is the possibility of both teams being in the top 25 at that time (the Tigers received six votes in the national preseason poll). This game will air at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Oct. 2, home vs. Arkansas – South Carolina will welcome the SEC preseason favorites to Stone Stadium, which housed the largest attendance in NCAA women’s soccer last year. It’ll also be the Gamecocks’ first match against a team higher than them in the national preseason poll. This game will air at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
Oct. 9, home vs. Texas – Just one week later, South Carolina will get another chance to exact revenge on a team to which it lost in 2024. Last season’s SEC Tournament Championship game will surely fuel the Gamecocks ahead of this matchup. The game will air at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network.
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Category: General Sports
