COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s women’s soccer team will play for an SEC title on Sunday after a 2-1 semifinal win over Alabama on Thursday night in Pensacola, Florida, a result that sends the Columbia program to the league final for the third time in five seasons.
Second-seeded South Carolina, now 14-2-3, scored once in each half. Emilie Castagna put the Gamecocks ahead about three minutes before halftime, knocking in a rebound after Sydney Middaugh’s attempt from the edge of the box was stopped. Early in the second half, Cuyler Zulauf served a free kick to Reagan Schubach, the SEC Defender of the Year, who finished from close range in the 48th minute.
Third-seeded Alabama, 15-5-0, pulled within a goal on Ashley Roni’s header in the 68th minute. Two minutes later the Tide were awarded a penalty after a review, but goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis kept it out. Larkin Thomason had been perfect from the spot in her career, 12-for-12, before that try. Tsaousis finished with four saves.
South Carolina reached the semifinal by beating Georgia 3-0 on Tuesday. The final, a rematch of the 2024 championship match, pits the Gamecocks against ninth-seeded Texas, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.
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