Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team erupted for three second half goals, but it was not enough to overcome a four-goal halftime deficit in a 4-3 Peach Belt Conference loss to Lander on Wednesday evening at the "Pacer Pit."
On the back of two Chris Hobb goals and three Kevin Durand assists, Lander entered the halftime break with a 4-0 lead. Matthew Bell and Lewis Blissett recorded the two other Lander goals in the half.
The Pacers would not be deterred by the huge deficit at intermission with Tobias Haenschke (Bavaria, Germany/Fach-und Kempten) heading in a long cross from Noel Mais (Atlanta, Ga./Kingston College) in the 54th-minute to place the Pacers back in the contest at 4-1.
Just under two minutes later, some nifty moves from Mark Hanlon (Dublin, Ireland/Blackfoot College) forced the Bearcats to foul him in the 18-yard box. Hanlon took advantage of the ensuing penalty kick, slotting the ball into the lower left corner of the net.
Five minutes later, an unbelievable solo effort from Mohamed Fall (Dakar, Senegal/USC Salkehatchie) allowed the Pacers to pull within one goal at 4-3. Fall took on a plethora of Lander defenders by himself before willing the ball into the back of the net.
Momentum firmly on its side after scoring the three goals over the course of a seven-minute stretch, USC Aiken would have the majority of the chances the rest of the way, but Lander would be able to withstand the Pacer charge to acquire the one-goal win.
USC Aiken ended the match with a 15-13 advantage in shots. The Pacers held a commanding 9-3 advantage in the category in the second frame.
The Pacers owned a 6-4 advantage in corner kick opportunities in the contest.
USC Aiken's week will close next with a 3 p.m. Peach Belt Conference road match with Georgia Southwestern in Americus, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 29.
