PEMBROKE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team dropped a hard fought 2-1 contest at UNC Pembroke Wednesday afternoon in a league contest.

The Pacers are now 4-12 on the season, including a 2-8 mark against conference competition. The Braves improve to 11-4-1 overall and 6-2-1 in league action.

Casey Rish took the lone shot for USC Aiken in the opening half, but a stellar job defensively by the visitors pushed the contest into the second stanza at a 0-0 tie.

Sarah Moore and Rish each posted shots in the opening minutes of the second period, but neither found the back of the net.

Karin Cadwalader registered a pair of solid second-half saves prior to the 57^th minute, keeping the contest scoreless.

UNC Pembroke tallied the first goal of the match at the 66:55 mark, but head coach Hilary George's team continued pushing forward.

The aggressive chances on offense paid off in the waning moments. Rish dribbled down the right side of the pitch and crossed it toward the far post. The Braves' keeper misjudged the ball and Catherine McHale ended up with it at her feet. She promptly rocketed home the pass, knotting the contest at 1-1 with just 5:34 left in regulation.

The home team posted five consecutive shots over the next five minutes, but each was either wide or was blocked. However, UNCP scored the game-winning goal with 26 seconds left.

For the match, USC Aiken was outshot 23-6, including 8-2 on frame. The Braves held a 7-3 margin in corner kicks.

Cadwalader played 56:25 between the pipes, tallying six saves. Katie Commins played the final 33:35 in goal for the visitors.  

The Pacers will now wait until the end of the PBC regular-season slate to see if they advance to the league tournament.