Columbia, S.C. – No. 4 South Carolina scored three second half goals to pull away from Furman and remain unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over the Paladins in women's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Stone Stadium in Columbia, S.C.
 
South Carolina broke the scoreless tie on 57 minutes when Jylissa Harris scored from the top of the six-yard box off a Gamecock corner kick that was sent to the far post and redirected into the center of the box. Just 50 seconds later, Catherine Barry found a seam in the Paladin defense to dribble into the box and slot a low shot inside the left post to double the margin.
 
The Gamecocks' Shae O'Rourke capped the scoring at the 84:01 mark by pouncing on a deflected pass following a South Carolina free kick.
 
Despite being outshot in the opening half, Addison Corn stopped six shots in the period and Nieva Gaither tested South Carolina goalkeeper Heather Hinz with the best scoring opportunity for either team in the first 45 minutes before taking a scoreless draw to intermission. In the 16^th minute, Gaither gathered the ball in the South Carolina half and took several touches towards goal before rifling a shot that Hinz was forced to leap and push off the crossbar to keep the match scoreless.
 
"I thought we played an outstanding first half and created the best chance of the half on Nieva's shot," said Paladin head coach Andrew Burr. "We talk a lot about mental focus and continue to grow in that area as a team, but a top five team like South Carolina will make you pay if you don't stay focused for a full 90 minutes. Addison and our back line played well for us today. We've made a lot of improvement over the last couple of weeks and look to keep improving as we approach league play later this month."
 
South Carolina (4-0-2), who has posted five shutouts in six matches, finished with a 26-3 advantage in total shots and 10-2 edge in shots on target. Gaither recorded both shots on goal for the Paladins, while Madison Luckett lined a shot just over the crossbar for Furman in the second half.
 
Hinz picked up the victory in goal with two saves for South Carolina and Corn totaled a season-high seven saves in a losing effort for the Paladins.
 
Furman (3-3-0) returns home on Thursday when it hosts USC Upstate on Seagraves Field at Stone Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at FurmanPaladins.com.