AIKEN, S.C. – Despite being young, the University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team came close to scoring an upset victory over 24th-ranked Belmont Abbey, but the Crusaders were able to gain the 2-1 victory over the Pacers Wednesday evening at "Pacer Pit."

The loss in their season opener starts the Pacers at 0-1 while the Crusaders improve to 4-0 on the young season.

Belmont Abbey struck first in the first half in the 41st-minute when Sarah Smith took the ball all the way to the end line and sent a cross into the six yard box setting up Brandi Clark to give the Crusaders the 1-0 lead heading into half-time.

Despite their youth, the Pacers pushed the Crusaders hard. Freshman midfielder Aubrey Danielson (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman) broke through in the 53rd-minute to even the score with her first collegiate goal, evening the game at 1-1.

The Crusaders found themselves with the lead, and eventual win in the 78th-minute when the ball took an unlucky deflection off a Pacer and into the goal.

Belmont Abbey barely out-shot USC Aiken 15-10, but took a clear advantage in shots-on-goal 10-4.

The Pacers will now hit the road for a three-game trek out of the Palmetto State. USC Aiken will first travel to Dahlonega, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 11 to take on the Saints of North Georgia. The 5 p.m. tilt on the pitch against the Saints will open Peach Belt Conference play for the Pacers in 2010 and can be followed via Live Stats online at www.PacerSports.com.