USC women’s soccer, coach Shelley Smith reach milestones as 2025 season begins

The 2025 South Carolina women’s soccer team looks to reach a 13th-straight NCAA Tournament this season. The Gamecocks will also celebrate two milestones along the way.

This season marks the 30th of the program’s existence at USC and Gamecocks head coach Shelley Smith’s 25th year with the team. With the two largest classes on the roster being the seniors (8) and freshmen (7), Smith will have a solid group of returners and a fresh injection of talent at her command to chase the first Sweet 16 berth for the team since 2022.

“It’s a pretty special year for the program,” Smith said Wednesday. “We’re excited about what’s in store for the season, the potential the team has and the lineup of competition we get to face.”

Despite the loss of last year’s leading goal scorer Catherine Barry, who moved on to play professionally for Lexington SC in the USL Gainbridge Super League, there is quite a bit of hype surrounding the 2025 squad. Six players were named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist and the team is ranked No. 21 in the country by the United Soccer Coaches poll.

Roster update

The loss of Barry is difficult to understate. In five years as a Gamecock, she amassed a program-best 121 career points and scored a team-high 18 goals in 2024 as the team finished 11-4-7 and was eliminated in the NCAA Tournament’s second round.

However, returning All-SEC freshman Katie Shea Collins, All-SEC defender Gracie Falla and starting goalkeeper Christina Tsaosis should be able to keep things steady as the 2025 freshman and transfer classes get their footing.

“Our seniors are very welcoming for the new players, and we bring them in and want to develop them right away,” Smith said. “I think just the little gap, it doesn’t cause a problem.”

Players to watch

Katie Shea Collins, sophomore forward: Collins is the heir apparent to the keys of USC’s offense after playing up front alongside Barry last season. Her 13 goals were second among SEC freshmen, earning her all-conference second-team honors. She’ll be the main focus on offense now, and looks to use what she learned in one year with Barry to prepare for a larger role in 2025.

“Playing with Cat was such a privilege for me,” Collins said. “Something that I learned a lot on the field is that, especially when we have 6,000 fans... it gets a little nerve-wracking. Cat was always calm on the ball, and that’s something I’m going to take with me for this year.”

Christina Tsaosis, senior goalkeeper: Tsaosis started every game in goal last year for the Gamecocks after making three career appearances in the two years prior. Her comfort level and confidence are much improved with her experience, she said.

Gracie Falla, senior defender: An All-SEC defender in 2024, Falla was the cornerstone of South Carolina’s defense. WIth her return alongside Tsaosis, she seemed confident the Gamecocks’ defensive prowess can only improve in 2025.

“It’s just a growth for us,” Falla said. “It makes us stronger... I think we’re going to be ready to go.”

Key matchups

Aug. 21 vs. Ohio State: The Buckeyes present an early challenge for Smith and her team in only the third matchup of the season. Ohio State is currently ranked 18th in the country and made it to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 last year before a 1-0 defeat to eventual finalists Wake Forest.

Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas: USC hosts its highest-ranked opponent in the preseason poll, the No. 6 Razorbacks, in SEC play. Arkansas defeated the Gamecocks 2-0 in Fayetteville last year in one of just two scoreless regular season games for South Carolina.

Oct. 26 vs. Vanderbilt: South Carolina will take on the No. 17 Commodores in the 2025 regular season and home finale. Vanderbilt toppled No. 1 seed Florida State in the NCAA Tournament last year before falling in Sweet 16 to Penn State.

South Carolina women’s soccer 2025 schedule

• Aug. 14 at Charleston
• Aug. 17 vs. South Florida
• Aug. 21 vs. Ohio State
• Aug. 24 vs. Miami (OH)
• Aug. 28 at Clemson
• Aug. 31 vs. Georgia State
• Sept. 4 at American
• Sept 7 at Georgetown
• Sept. 11 at Alabama
• Sept. 18 vs. Ole Miss
• Sept. 21 at Florida
• Sept. 26 at Oklahoma
• Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas
• Oct. 5 at Auburn
• Oct. 9 vs. Texas
• Oct. 16 at Kentucky
• Oct. 19 vs. Texas A&M
• Oct. 26 vs. Vanderbilt
• Nov. 2-9 at SEC Tournament