Road Test in Winston‑Salem
The South Carolina women's soccer team will begin its road campaign on August 16, heading to Winston‑Salem to face Wake Forest at Spry Stadium. It marks the first time this season the Gamecocks will play on an opponent's turf, setting a new benchmark for the program's early schedule.
The Gamecocks opened the season with a 2‑0 victory over Oregon State, a shutout that extended their streak of season‑opening wins to four and marked the third straight match in which they have not allowed a goal. Both goals came from senior players, with Sydney Middaugh finding the net in the 55th minute and Sophie Johnson scoring her first career goal in the 77th.
The dominant first half saw the team outshot the Beavers 13‑0, and a total of 23 Gamecocks saw action, including 16 who logged at least 30 minutes. The performance underscored depth and cohesion that the coaching staff hopes to carry into the upcoming test.
The upcoming matchup will be the tenth meeting in the series, with Wake Forest holding a 5‑3‑1 edge overall. However, South Carolina has won two of the last three encounters, and four of the previous nine games have been played in Winston‑Salem, giving the Gamecocks a familiar foothold on the road.
Wake Forest entered the season with a 2‑0 win over LSU, also scoring after halftime and maintaining a 9‑6 shot advantage. The Demon Deacons' early success adds another layer of competitiveness to the forthcoming clash, promising a tightly contested battle.
While the schedule places a premium on adapting to unfamiliar environments, the Gamecocks' early chemistry and defensive discipline provide a solid foundation. The road test at Spry Stadium will reveal how effectively the team can translate its home‑field momentum into a positive result on the road.