Box Score GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team lost a hard-fought, 1-0 decision at Lander Wednesday afternoon.
The Pacers are now 1-7 overall, including a 1-3 mark against Peach Belt Conference foes.
The Bearcats netted what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 11th minute of action. However, head coach Hilary George's team continued to push forward and nearly tied the match on several occasions.
USC Aiken's Akeyla Furbert rocketed a shot toward the frame that was saved in the 14th minute of action. Seven minutes later, Jenna Beauregard's attempt sailed wide of the goal. Furbert tried again at the 23:32 mark, but it missed high.
Amanda Mazzie's shot was stopped by the keeper in the 41st minute. Hannah Allison's try was blocked a minute later, forcing the teams to head into intermission with the score at 1-0.
Megan Smits nearly knotted the contest at the 48:56 mark, but the keeper managed to scoop it up, preserving the lead for the Bearcats. Sarah Moore accounted for a pair of shots within a four-minute span, but neither found the back of the net. Olivia Stiltner blasted a shot toward the frame at the 71:40 mark, but it was wide. Two minutes later, Emily May's attempt was blocked in the box.
USC Aiken had a pair of corner kicks in the late going, but the squad was unable to get a result off the set pieces.
Over the final 45 minutes, the Pacers accounted for nine corner kicks. The team held an 11-2 edge in corner kicks for the contest.
Nicole Cranny played all 90 minutes between the pipes. She recorded four saves.
"We dominated the second half," George stated. "We had some good looks and it is unfortunate that we couldn't find the back of the net. Now we need to turn our attention to our home match on Saturday against Georgia Southwestern."
The Pacers return to the pitch Saturday when they host Georgia Southwestern. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.
