Box Score HICKORY, N.C. – Three second-half goals propelled the University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team past the host Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne by a 3-2 score Wednesday evening.
The Pacers improve to 2-0-1 on the season while L-R falls to 0-2-1.
The home team struck with a goal just 2:26 into the contest and followed it up with another ball into the back of the net in the 36th minute of play for a 2-0 edge heading into intermission.
Head coach Sue Vodicka's halftime speech paid off, though, as her team got on the board at the 51:33 mark.
Hannah Allison, the reigning NSCAA National Player of the Week, placed the ball near the frame on a well-struck ball from the right side of the pitch. She connected with Megan Smits, who headed home the pass, making it 2-1.
With momentum on their side, the Pacers struck again three minutes later. Akeyla Furbert controlled the ball after a pass from Allison and laced a shot over the keeper's head, who had come out of the box for a moment. Her shot tied the match at 2-2 and Allison was credited with an assist on the play.
In the 64th minute, Smits played the ball to Furbert, who promptly rocketed a shot from 25 yards out over the keeper's head for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
The Bears had four shots in a 40-second span, but USC Aiken's Nicole Cranny stopped two, one was blocked and the other shot by the home squad sailed high. L-R had two shots and a corner kick during a flurry of action in the 86th and 87th minutes, respectfully, but the Pacers' stingy defense did not allow any shot to be on goal.
For the match, Cranny faced 12 shots on goal, registering 10 saves. She played all 90 minutes between the pipes.
USC Aiken was out-shot 30-8 and had just one corner kick compared to 12 by the home team.
"We did a great job in the second half," Vodicka said. "The team believed they could come back and they did. I am very proud of them tonight. To get a win on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne is very tough."
The Pacers return to action Friday night when they host St. Leo in a 6 p.m., contest. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.
