Each year, USC Aiken Athletics highlights the top moment of each program. Instead of the traditional countdown to No. 1, this season PacerSports.com will feature the top moment in each program in random order.
On Oct. 30, 2019, the women's soccer team did something that had not been accomplished since Oct. 4, 2006 – pick up a victory over Lander. In the 12 previous contests, the Pacers picked up just one tie (1-1 on Oct. 1, 2014). Even more impressive than just earning a victory over the Bearcats, the win marked the first road victory at Lander since Sept. 27, 2000.
Box Score
GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's soccer team posted a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Lander Wednesday evening.
The Pacers are now 3-11 on the year and 3-6 in league play. The Bearcats fall to 5-7-2 overall and 3-4-2 against conference foes.
Just 13:34 into the match,Â
Marissa Lee foundÂ
Gressa Olson for what turned out to be the lone goal.
Madi Banks registered the shutout victory, playing all 90 minutes between the pipes. She accounted for eight saves in the win.
Lander attempted to get on the board just 59 seconds in, but Banks was strong, turning away the shot. The Bearcats earned a pair of corner kicks in the early going, but the Pacer defense was up for the challenge, not allowing a shot attempt.
After Olson found the back of the net, Lander fired off three of the next four shots, but Banks saved two while another sailed wide.
The Pacers tried to push the margin to 2-0 in the 33
rd minute, butÂ
Lauren Sigmon's shot was saved, keeping it at 1-0 heading to the half.
Although Lander pushed forward for much of the early going in the second half, USC Aiken turned away the home squad. Banks made a pair of outstanding plays near the end of the match, keeping the Bearcats off the board.
The victory was the first for the Pacers over the Bearcats since a 2-0 road win on Oct. 4, 2006. Â It also marked the first shutout for the program since a 7-0 blanking of Georgia Southwestern on Oct. 20, 2018.
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