USC tops LSU, remains undefeated in season’s first 10 matches

Second-half goals Thursday night from midfielder Chelsea Drennan and forward Sophie Groff lifted the No. 8 South Carolina women’s soccer to a 3-1 victory over LSU at Stone Stadium.

The seniors helped the Gamecocks move their winning streak to nine matches and remain unbeaten (9-0-1, 3-0-0 SEC) on the season.

The Gamecocks are unbeaten through 10 matches for the second time in program history. South Carolina’s 9-0-1 record marks its best start to a season since 2009 when it won its first 11 games.

The Tigers, who entered the game with wins in five of their last six contests, fell to 6-5-0 overall and 1-2-0 in league play.

Junior forward Savannah McCaskill opened the scoring Thursday with a great strike from well outside the box in the 10th minute. The Gamecocks struck on the counter attack after the forward found some space in the attacking third and ripped a shot into the left corner of the goal to make it 1-0. McCaskill’s 10 goals this season lead the SEC and equal her scoring output from a year ago.

“I thought we had a much cleaner second half and did well to finish off the game,” South Carolina coach Shelley Smith said. “It was another gutsy performance. Our kids battled, and they won a lot of balls. We took some chances in the final third, and the defensive effort again was excellent.”

South Carolina continues SEC play on Sunday when it hosts Kentucky at Stone Stadium at 2 p.m.