Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team pushed No. 16 North Georgia the entire 90 minutes, but came up just short in the 1-0 loss on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
The Pacers conclude their season at 4-12-1, including a 4-7 mark against league foes.
Head coach Hilary George's team played some of the most inspired ball all season long against the Nighthawks. The defense was sensational throughout, turning away the visitors for much of the match.
After a pair of corner kicks by UNG, the Pacers forced the opposition to take a shot that was off target. In the 14th minute, Nicole Cranny made a solid save, keeping the contest scoreless.
UNG managed to tally the only score of the match at the 17:20 mark for a 1-0 advantage.
However, USC Aiken's defense was strong the rest of the way. The squad forced Madison Salters to miss wide of the frame, similar to Sophia Matonak's attempt at the 32:02 mark.
The visitors rattled off two more shots in the period, but Cranny made a brilliant stop on one while another was wide of the goal.
The Pacers gained possession of the ball near the start of the second half and earned a corner kick in the 53rd minute of action. Taylor Simmons played a ball into the box, but USC Aiken was unable to register a shot at that time.
George's squad continued its excellent effort on the pitch. After Cranny's save in the 59th minute, the Pacers gained possession. In the 63rd minute of play, Hannah Allison launched a shot that the visitors' keeper managed to snag, keeping the score at 1-0.
The Pacers' defense continued to be stellar, allowing the Nighthawks to take just two more shots on goal and Cranny was there both times, thwarting the opposition's chances at a score.
For the match, Cranny stopped five shots while playing all 90 minutes between the posts.
It marked the final match for seniors Hannah Allison, Jenna Beauregard, Akeyla Furbert, Hazel Kelley, Emily May, Cyndle McGuinness, Taylor Simmons, Megan Smits, Olivia Stiltner and Heaven Tylee.
