Two first half goals weren’t enough for Georgia’s soccer team Wednesday night in Orange Beach, Ala., as the Bulldogs’ late, one-goal lead slipped away after two South Carolina goals in the final 10 minutes of play propelled the Gamecocks into the second round of SEC Tournament play, 3-2.

For the first time in three seasons, the Bulldogs (14-5-1, 7-5-0 SEC) will be absent from the SEC tournament semifinals, after having advanced to the finals of the 2007 and 2008 tournaments.

It was the Bulldogs who got on the board first thanks to a 5th minute goal from forward Carrie Patterson, her team-leading 10th on the 2009 campaign.

However, the Bulldogs’ lead didn’t last long.

Just over seven minutes later, after some sloppy defending by Georgia on a Gamecocks free kick, South Carolina’s Brooke Jacobs found an equalizer, collecting a loose ball in the Georgia 18-yard box and firing a laser past Georgia goalkeeper Michelle Betos to tie the game at one apiece.

Georgia cashed in on a set-piece of their own in the 29th minute when defender Kelli Corless sent a high corner kick curling straight over the outstretched arms of South Carolina keeper Mollie Patton to put the Bulldogs back in front, 2-1.

The second half saw both squads struggling to get anything going in terms of possession, but with around 15 minutes left in the match, the momentum shifted towards the Gamecocks, who pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own territory.

With under 10 minutes remaining, South Carolina’s Kayla Grimsley knotted the game at 2-2, with her 11th goal on the season.

In the 89th minute, it was Grimsley again who sparked the Gamecock offense, assisting midfielder Kortney Rhoades for the game winner which put USC in front for good, 3-2.

Now, the waiting game begins for Georgia who can now only hope for an at-large NCAA Tournament invitation, with NCAA Tournament selections due to be dished out Monday at 8 p.m. Entering tournament play, the Bulldogs were ranked 18th in the Ratings Percentage Index, third best in the SEC.