Soccer’s Rally Falls Short Against South Carolina

LARAMIE, Wyoming (8/27/26) – The final score may have not made it clear, but Thursday at the Madrid Sports Complex was an impressive performance for the University of Wyoming soccer team. South Carolina may have held on for a 2-1 victory, but the Cowgirls have plenty with which to be proud.  

“The second half performance was exactly what we wanted. We responded well to being down two goals,” head coach Josh Purdum said. “I wanted to see what our response was, and our girls did a fantastic job with the level of detail they took on. The biggest thing for us is winning each half. We didn’t want to go down two goals, and we didn’t win the first half, but we certainly won the second half. That’s something to be proud of.”

The loss drops the Pokes to 2-2-0 on the season. Then Gamecocks – who were the second-highest team receiving votes in the United Coaches’ Soccer Poll – improve to 4-1-0 on the year.

The second largest crowd of 971 in program history was on hand and one of the program’s all-time great scorers got them to their feet in the second half. Alyssa Glover deposited a pass from Isabel Vasco in the 57th minute, which cut South Carolina’s lead in half, 2-1.

It was Glover’s 21st career score, and that positions her just one behind Amanda Lathrop for third all-time in school history. It was Vasco’s second-career assist.

The Gamecocks built their two-goal cushion via a penalty kick in the 33rd minute and a corner kick in the 43rd minute. Ava Tutas made good on the PK opportunity, while Emilie Castagna hooked her corner kick into the back of the net.

Wyoming keeper, Haley Bartel, laid claim to a pair of saves. South Carolina goalkeeper, Christina Tsaouisis, didn’t record a save.

The Gamecocks edged the Cowgirls in shots, 8-7, and held a 4-1 advantage in shots on target. Glover and Izzy Schroder each accounted for two shots.

Wyoming is back home Sunday against South Dakota. That match is set to kick at 10:30 a.m. and Senior Day will be celebrated after the match.

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