NEWBERRY, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's soccer team used a pair of second-half goals, helping the team to a 3-1 win at Newberry Thursday evening in the season opener for both teams.

The Pacers picked up their first win in a season-opening contest since a 4-0 victory over Pfeiffer on Sept. 2, 2011. It also marked the most goals USC Aiken has scored in a season opener since that contest.

Head coach Ike Ofoje's team registered the first shot of the season, coming off the boot from Yannis Wome, but it was stopped by the Wolves' keeper. Joey Valenti turned away Newberry's first shot of the match, coming at the 8:28 mark.

Valenti was up for the task again in the 22nd minute, stopping an attempt that was to his right. After turning away two more shots within a 23-second span, Valenti was unable stop a third straight attempt, giving the Wolves a 1-0 lead at the 33:34 mark.

The squad bounced back immediately. Jaymee Kambel found Mohamed Abdallah, who promptly blasted the shot to the lower left of the frame, knotting the score at 1-1.

Just after intermission, Wome connected with Kambel, who found the open spot in the lower left of the frame to make it 2-1 at the 48:12 mark.

Kambel pushed it 3-1 two minutes later after blasting a shot to the upper left of the goal for the two-score advantage.

Kambel led the way with a pair of shots on goal for the visitors. Wome accounted for one shot on goal.

For the match, USC Aiken tallied six shots, including four on frame. The Wolves accounted for six shots on target – five of which were stopped by keeper Valenti. He played all 90 minutes between the pipes for the victors.

Ofoje's squad registered four corner kicks compared to a pair by the home team.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday, Sept. 8 when they host Catawba at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.