Box Score GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team lost a 4-2 decision at Lander Wednesday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 2-3-2 on the year, including an 0-2 mark against Peach Belt Conference competition.
The home squad opened the scoring six minutes in off a rebound for a 1-0 edge. Head coach Ike Ofoje's team tried to answer back rather quickly, but Mckinley Blezin's shot missed high of the frame in the 10th minute.
At the 14:52 mark, Andre Simmond blasted a shot that was saved. Sixteen seconds later, Adria Dalmau's header was stopped just before it crossed the end-line. Gabriel Locher's attempt at the 34:24 mark was blocked, but the Pacers kept up the offensive pressure.
Jarrel Smalls attracted several defenders in the 40th minute before flicking the ball to Nathan Shanko, who promptly rocketed a shot past the keeper for a 1-1 score.
Andre Bernardini sniffed out a header just prior to intermission, keeping the contest tied heading into the second period.
Lander regained the advantage in the 53rd minute. The Bearcats added another pair of goals in the next seven minutes of action, but Ofoje's team tried to mount a comeback.
In the 60th minute, Brett Smith fired home his first goal of the season, unassisted. The tally sliced the deficit to 4-2.
USC Aiken continued applying pressure. In the 61st minute, Smalls' attempt was saved. After a set piece in the 63rd minute, Smalls header sailed just high of the frame off an outstanding corner kick from Simmond.
Smalls managed to get past a defender in the 78th minute of action, but his shot was once again stopped by the keeper. Simmond's corner kick five minutes later was unable to find a teammate, stopping that opportunity for USC Aiken.
Smalls had two more shots and Simmond had one in the final five minutes of play, but none found the back of the net.
USC Aiken was out-shot 22-16 and the home squad held a slim 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Bernardini played all 90 minutes in goal, stopping 10 shots.
The Pacers return to the pitch Saturday when they host Georgia Southwestern. The match is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.
