AIKEN, S.C.  – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over visiting Georgia College in the Peach Belt Conference opener for both teams.

The Pacers improve to 3-2-1 overall, including a 1-0 mark in league action.

In the opening half, USC Aiken controlled the possession for much of the time. In the fifth minute, head coach Sue Vodicka's team drew a corner kick and posted three straight shot attempts, but all were blocked by defenders in a very crowded box.

In the sixth minute, the Pacers earned a corner kick and Tori Caldwell placed a beautiful ball into the middle of the box. Hannah Allison out-jumped two defenders and headed home her sixth goal of the season for a 1-0 edge.

USC Aiken continued to apply pressure as Megan Smits registered a shot in the 11^th minute.

The Bobcats' first major offensive challenge came at the 14:02 mark, but Nicole Cranny came out and punched away the ball as the home team maintained the advantage.

Heaven Tylee recorded a deep shot at the 27:55 mark, but she was turned away by Annie Stephens. In the 33^rd minute, Smits played a ball to Akeyla Furbert right in the middle of the box roughly eight yards away from the goal. Furbert had an open goal, but she played the ball just a bit too high as the Bobcats escaped the first half trailing just 1-0.

USC Aiken came out and controlled the second half. The Pacers pushed forward during much of the final 45 minutes, but the squad was unable to add to its lead.

Late in the match, the Bobcats managed to play a few balls into the box only to see Cranny punch everything out of harms way.

For the match, Cranny accounted for three saves.

USC Aiken held a 14-5 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.

The Pacers return to action Sunday when they travel to Mercer in a 2 p.m., match.