Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team lost its home opener Wednesday in front of a packed crowd to Lenoir-Rhyne by an 8-0 count.
The Pacers are now 0-3 on the season.
Head coach Hilary George's team continued to play hard throughout the match despite the Bears netting what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the eighth minute of action.
USC Aiken earned a corner kick at the 1:28 mark, but Jenna Beauregard's effort was too strong, sailing to the far side of the box.
Trailing 5-0 after the 28th minute of action, George's squad registered its first shot of the night off the boot of Hannah Allison at the 32:19 mark. Despite the attempt, L-R was able to block the shot, denying the Pacers the goal.
Down 6-0, Olivia Stiltner's shot in the 40th minute of play was also stopped.
After a resounding halftime speech by George, USC Aiken played with increased intensity in the second half. Allison booted a shot in the 51st minute, but Alayna Morris was up for the task as she stopped it. Megan Smits booted a shot that sailed just wide of the frame at the 63:01 mark.
For the match, USC Aiken tallied five shots and had a corner kick. Karin Cadwalader and Nicole Cran ny each played 45 minutes between the pipes. Cranny stopped a pair of shots in the second half.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Wingate. The contest is slated to be aired on ESPN3.com at 7 p.m. Live stats and video links will be available on PacerSports.com.
