Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the USC Aiken Pacers on Saturday afternoon in a 2-1 final score.

The Warriors took 15 shots and seven shots on goal in the loss to the Pacers.  Karla Gordon led the team with four shots and two shots on goal.  She was followed by Hayleigh Von Ins with three shots, and Bryanna Pickens and Cayla Hughes followed with two.  Pickens picked up her first goal of the season and Madi Wurst recorded the assist on the goal.  Samantha Benner played all ninety minutes in goal for the Warriors and collected four saves.
 

 
Game Vitals

Final: USC Aiken 2, Southern Wesleyan 1

Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-2) USC Aiken (2-0-1)


 
How It Happened

The Warriors attacked early as Bella Hanzel took a shot, but the Pacers blocked her attack and countered with an attack off the foot of Baylea Payne.  However, the Warriors' defense blocked the attack from paying off to keep the game tied up.  Payne took a second shot on goal, but Samantha Benner saved the attack to keep the game scoreless.  The Warriors countered with attacks of their own of the feet of Grace Williams, Hayleigh Von Ins and Nadya Perez, but Kaydence Moore and the Pacers defense would not let the Warriors attacks pay off.  A foul right outside the box allowed the Warriors to take a free kick.  Madi Wurst sent the ball into the box and Bryanna Pickens headed the ball into the goal to give the Warriors the early 1-0 lead at the half.

USC Aiken increased their intensity in the second half as Baylea Payne sent the ball toward the net.  However, Samantha Benner was able to collect the attack to keep the Pacers from tying the game back up.  The Pacers would not relent as Megan Gettys collected a pass and one touched the ball into the net to allow USC Aiken to tie the game up 1-1.  Southern Wesleyan fought back with shots by Bryanna Pickens and Hayleigh Von Ins, but the Pacers thwarted each attack on the net.  The Pacers attacked again as Megan Getty scored her second goal of the game to give USC Aiken the lead.  Southern Wesleyan countered with shots by Karla Gordon, but USC Aiken went on to win the game in a 2-1 final.


 
What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will host their Conference Carolinas opener on September 7 as they welcome the King Tornado to Childs Field.  They will then travel to Murfreesboro, NC to take on the Chowan Hawks on September 10 at 1 p.m.  The Warriors will return to Childs Field on September 13 to host the North Greenville Crusaders at 5 p.m.