Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against UNC Pembroke Wednesday evening on Senior Day in a Peach Belt Conference contest.
The Pacers are now 6-7-3 overall, including a 4-4-2 mark against league foes.
The tie was huge for head coach Sue Vodicka and her team as it secured the squad a berth in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference Tournament. It marks the first time since 2008 the Pacers have made the postseason event. The Pacers' first-round opponent and location will be determined after Saturday's match.
After an early shot on goal by the Braves, USC Aiken countered with a corner kick and a shot, but Deirdre Ball missed high. Although neither team was able to register a shot for a span of six minutes, Megan Smits rifled home a shot in the 17th minute of action, but was turned away.
The Braves had a couple of attempts in the 28th minute, but Nicole Cranny was up for the challenge.
In the 36th minute, Smits found Hannah Allison slicing through the defense after a throw in. She booted the ball to the right and Allison blasted home the score for a 1-0 edge. UNC Pembroke had three shots before the end of the half, but the stingy defense by the Pacers made it a 1-0 contest heading into the second stanza.
Vodicka's team had a chance to increase the lead in the 53rd minute, but Taylor Simmons' shot was saved. USC Aiken had a pair of corner kicks a few minutes later, but neither resulted in a goal.
The Braves broke through the defense for a goal in the 67th minute. From that point forward, neither team was able to get a substantial shot on target until Jenna Beauregard's attempt in the 81st minute. However, Janae Aiken managed to come up with the save.
In a flurry of action as the clock was winding down, Beauregard took two corner kicks and Akeyla Furbert launched a shot on frame. However, nothing produced a game-winning goal.
The Pacers pushed forward in overtime, earning three corner kicks. After neither team could score in the first session, the Braves nearly put the match away in the second period. However, the scramble in the box led to no goal as a foul was whistled on the play.
For the match, USC Aiken held a 14-10 advantage in shots and a 10-3 edge in corner kicks. Cranny played all 110 minutes between the pipes and notched four saves.
The Pacers return to action Saturday at North Georgia in the regular-season finale. The match is slated to start at 5 p.m.
