Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – Carson Villa evened
the match for the Pacers just before halftime, but neither the
University of South Carolina Aiken nor Lenoir-Rhyne would be able
to score again as the two teams finished their non-conference match
on Saturday at the "Pacer Pit" tied at 1-1.
Lenoir-Rhyne (2-4-1) netted the first goal of the match in the
14th-minute when Jordan Holmes scored off a free kick
from 20 yards out.
The Bears looked as if they would take a 1-0 lead into the
halftime break, but Villa (Savannah, Ga./Benedictine) and USC Aiken
had other ideas with seconds to go before intermission.
The Pacers took advantage of a corner kick opportunity in the
waning seconds of the first half with Chinedu Arinze
(Stone Mountain, Ga./Georgia State) playing the ball into the box
to an open Villa, who pounced on the chance by lacing the ball into
the lower left corner of the Lenoir-Rhyne net.
The Pacer goal just before halftime would prove to be the final
one of the match. Both teams had quality chances in the second half
and in the two 10-minute overtime periods, but in the end the two
teams would settle for the tie.
USC Aiken (2-5-1) finished the match leading in all statistical
categories, including a 22-12 shot advantage. The Pacers finished
with an 8-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
USC Aiken will now have eight days off before next returning to
the pitch for a road Peach Belt Conference match against Montevallo
in Montevallo, Ala. on Sunday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for
3:30 p.m. EST.
