Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team netted a pair of first-half goals against Clayton State and played stellar defense for all 90 minutes en route to a 2-0 victory over the Lakers in a rare Friday evening Peach Belt Conference contest.
The Pacers are now 3-10-1 on the season, including a 3-5 mark against league foes.
Head coach Hilary George's team pushed forward from the outset of the match and it nearly paid off with an early score. However, a student-athlete was whistled for being offside just prior to Hazel Kelley putting the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage, disallowing the tally.
Sarah Moore rocketed off a pair of shots in the opening 17 minutes, but one was stopped while another sailed just wide of the frame.
At the 18:31 mark, USC Aiken was awarded a free kick from 22 yards out. Jenna Beauregard took the kick before the defense was able to set up and quickly found the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage the Pacers would not relinquish.
After the score, George's team continued pushing forward while disrupting the Lakers' transition to offense. Brye Epley had a shot blocked and the squad was unable to take advantage of a corner kick by Emily May at the 34:45 mark.
The Pacers were relentless on the offensive side of the pitch and it paid off with the team's second score in the 37th minute of play. Amanda Mazzie dribbled down the pitch and flicked it to Brye Epley. Akeyla Furbert ended up with the ball in the box and slammed it home for a 2-0 lead.
In the second period, the visitors tried to knot the score, but USC Aiken was up for the challenge.
Nicole Cranny stopped three consecutive shots by the Lakers within a span of 85 seconds, but the biggest influence she had was on a penalty kick at the 81:14 mark.
Clayton State was awarded a penalty kick after the Pacers were whistled for a foul in the box. However, Cranny played big and dove to her left. Maria Bartis played the ball wide of the frame and USC Aiken held the momentum the rest of the way.
Megan Smits took a shot that was just high in the 83rd minute of action, but the team's defense was solid enough not to allow the visitors another opportunity in the closing minutes.
USC Aiken out-shot Clayton State 7-6.
Cranny played all 90 minutes between the pipes, stopping four shots in the victory. The win also marked the first shutout of the season for George's team.
The Pacers return to action Monday when they host Georgia Southwestern at 3:30 p.m. The match is a being designated a Breast Cancer Awareness contest called United For A Cure. All proceeds from the match will be given to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Jerseys will also be auctioned off. The contest is also being sponsored by Chick-fil-A so fans should be in attendance for giveaways and chances to win several prizes from the restaurant.
