AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team attempted to come from behind late in the second half, but in the end came up just short as they dropped their Peach Belt Conference match 4-2 to the visiting Bearcats of Lander Wednesday evening at "Pacer Pit."

USC Aiken is now 2-9-1 overall while they move to 0-6-1 in PBC action. Lander is now 8-5 for the 2010 season and is 3-4 in league play.

Lander took a 2-0 lead in the first half as Lara Middlebrook and Jamie Shaw both found the back of the net for the Bearcats within three minutes of each other. Middlebrook's goal in the 25th minute was her first of the season while Shaw's shot set up by a cross from Middlebrook was her sixth of the season.

The Pacers attempted to mount a comeback in the second half as in the 48th minute Jenny Pineiro (Charleston, S.C./Fort Dorchester) found the back of the net off an assist by Alex Cohen (Evans, Ga./Greenbrier). Cohen played the ball into the box before Pineiro connected foot to ball and placed the ball past the Lander net minder to pull the Pacers within one of the Bearcats.

Lander's Christina Barbour extended the Bearcats' lead back out to two when she broke through the Pacers' defense and sent the ball into the net.

USC Aiken pulled back within one in the 78th minute as Cohen streaked down the field breaking through Lander's defenders and sending the ball towards goal. A Lander defender blocked her first attempt, but undeterred, Cohen regrouped and placed the ball into the back of the net for her second goal of the season, setting the score at 3-2.

Despite a furious attack and stout defensive stand by USC Aiken, Lander was able to acquire one final goal as Nina Morales scored off a header by Jamie Shaw giving the Bearcats the final score of 4-2.

Lander out shot USC Aiken 20-15 while the Pacers held the advantage in corner kicks at 6-1.

USC Aiken will not travel to Morrow, Ga. for a PBC tilt against the Lakers of Clayton State on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 before heading back home for a pair of non-conference games at the "Pacer Pit."