The South Carolina women’s soccer team has hit an unusual rough patch. After failing to win their final three regular-season contests — and managing only one victory in their last six — the Gamecocks were quickly eliminated from the SEC Tournament after a first-round upset by Alabama.
Still, the NCAA Tournament has long been a place of stability for South Carolina. The program extended its streak to 13 consecutive appearances, missing the postseason just once in the past 19 years. Entering Friday, the Gamecocks had also been dominant in opening-round games, winning nine straight first-round matchups.
But their bid to extend that streak to 10 fell short. At W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium in Winston-Salem, the unseeded Gamecocks were defeated 2-1 by No. 7 Wake Forest, bringing their season to a close.
Wake Forest Applies Early Pressure
From the opening whistle, Wake Forest controlled much of the attacking momentum. South Carolina produced occasional chances, mostly through standout forward Katie Shea Collins, whose individual skill provided the bulk of the Gamecocks’ early opportunities — though none were dangerous enough to level the score.
Wake Forest eventually broke through in the 15th minute. After South Carolina struggled to clear a corner kick, a chaotic sequence unfolded in front of goal. Shots from Amanda Patrick and Micah Bryant struck the post, and the loose ball fell to Kylie Maxwell, who punched it in from close range to put the Demon Deacons up 1-0.
The goal seemed to jolt South Carolina awake.
Gamecocks Fight Back
Collins nearly helped create the equalizer in the 24th minute when she headed a long pass into the path of Mackenzie Johnson, but Wake Forest goalkeeper Valentina Amaral made a sprawling save. Johnson forced another one-on-one stop just minutes later, though the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.
Despite the 1-0 deficit, the stat sheet at halftime showed a balanced match: both teams recorded four shots and seven fouls, with Wake Forest owning a slight 3-2 edge in shots on target. The Demon Deacons nearly doubled their lead before the break on a cross from Sierra Sythe, but Brooke Miller couldn’t connect at the back post.
Wake Forest Extends the Lead
In the 61st minute, the Demon Deacons struck again — once more on a set piece. A corner kick bounced around the six-yard box, deflecting off Maggie Taitano and landing at the feet of Sammi Wiemann, who buried her first goal of the season to make it 2-0.
Zulauf Delivers a Highlight-Reel Goal
South Carolina answered almost immediately thanks to a moment of brilliance from Cuyler Zulauf. Just four minutes after the Wake Forest goal, Zulauf dribbled into open space near midfield and unleashed a long-range rocket from roughly 40 yards out. The ball dipped over Amaral’s reach and into the top-left corner, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The strike — described in one broadcast clip as “a rip from wayyyy downtown” — reenergized the Gamecocks and set up a frantic final stretch.
Late Push Falls Short
In the last 25 minutes, South Carolina pushed hard for an equalizer, outshooting Wake Forest 5-2 during that span — outside of one sequence where the Demon Deacons had five consecutive attempts blocked.
But Wake Forest’s defensive unit absorbed the pressure without conceding again, sealing the win and ending South Carolina’s postseason run in the round of 64.
