Box Score COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team was unable to pick up its second straight Peach Belt Conference victory, falling by a 3-1 decision at Columbus State Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers stand at 4-4 overall and 1-2 against conference competition.
USC Aiken recorded the first two shots of the contest, both of which came from the boot of Megan Smits. The first was high at the 3:46 mark and the other was saved by the keeper a minute later.
After a corner kick by the Pacers, the Cougars managed to gain control of the ball. USC Aiken then fell behind in the seventh minute of action after a cross into the box was chipped in by CSU.
USC Aiken fought back quickly, taking another shot on goal in the 11th minute of action. A foul by the Pacers allowed the Cougars to have a penalty kick, which was stuffed by Melissa Westphal, keeping the score at 1-0.
CSU tacked on a goal just 3:52 before the break, making it a 2-0 contest heading into the second half.
Head coach Sue Vodicka's defense stood tall in the opening minutes of the second stanza. The squad turned away shot after shot, including a solid save by Westphal in the 56th minute of work.
Westphal turned away Mandy Janowitz twice rather quickly, keeping the Pacers in the match.
Aubrey Danielson rocketed a shot toward the frame in the 73rd minute, but it was saved. However, after the team continued applying pressure, Caroline Gillespie put the Pacers on the board in the 77th minute. Jenna Beauregard took a corner that was punched out by the keeper, but Gillespie collected it just outside the box and blasted home the shot, making it a 2-1 contest.
The Cougars pushed forward, taking two shots while USC Aiken was unable to take one. Then, the home squad broke through for the final tally of the match at the 87:09 mark.
Westphal totaled eight saves while playing all 90 minutes between the pipes. USC Aiken accounted for five shots in the match, including four on frame.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday when the team travels to Lander for a 4:30 pm. match.
