Georgia’s SEC Tournament Run Ends in Penalties to South Carolina

Thursday, November 3

Pensacola, Fla.

8:30 p.m.

University of Georgia

12-5-3, 5-3-2

South Carolina

12-3-5, 6-3-1

Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia’s SEC Tournament Run Ends in Penalties to South Carolina

November 04, 2022 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Falling 4-1 in the penalty shootout, the sixth-seeded University of Georgia's Southeastern Conference Tournament run came to a close with a 1-1 draw against second-seeded and 13^th-ranked South Carolina Thursday evening before 2,413 spectators at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex.

After surrendering a goal in the 53^rd minute, Georgia (12-5-3) tied the match in the 75^th minute as graduate forward Dani Murguia converted a penalty kick following a handball in the box, her second goal of the SEC Tournament.

South Carolina (12-3-5) outshot Georgia, 14-12, including a 7-4 advantage in shots on frame. Freshman goalkeeper Jordan Brown turned in a phenomenal performance as she tallied a career-high six saves.

"I'm really proud of our team and the grit we showed, the tenacity we showed," said Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine following the match. "Our goalkeeper made some great saves, and we had some great moments offensively. Both teams gritted it out and I'm really proud of this performance. It was a big step. We haven't won here in a while, and to get a win and be in this Thursday game was big for us."

The first half unfurled quietly until the 30^th minute as Brown make a tremendous diving save on a shot by South Carolina's Lily Render. For the half, the Bulldogs only notched two shots in the opening period, heading to the locker room with a scoreless tie.

In the second half, the pace picked up as the Carolina attack began pressing more, leading to a goal by Catherine Berry in the 53^rd minute as she took advantage of Brown playing too far out of the box.

The Bulldogs looked for the equalizer as they finally began posting shots on frame. Eventually in the 75th minute, a handball off the Gamecocks' Abby Hugo set up a penalty chance for Murguia, who scored in the top left corner of the net. In the 85^th minute, sophomore midfielder Ellie Gilbert nearly hit the winner, but a leaping save from Heather Hinz kept the score knotted.

Brown astounded again in the opening minute of extra time with a double save off two Carolina shots, including a stretching kick save to deflect Eveleen Hahn's shot. Georgia would attempt two shots in the second period as the match moved to the penalty shootout.

Georgia's first attempt from graduate midfielder Abby Boyan connected, but subsequent shots from junior forward Tori Penn and Murguia were stopped by Hinz. The Gamecocks made all four of their attempts as they advanced to face Alabama in Sunday's championship final.

Georgia now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament, with the tournament selection show scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. EST on NCAA.com. If selected, it would be the first tournament bid for the Bulldogs since 2014 and the 10^th in program history. First round matches will be played next weekend at the higher seed's home venue.