Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan kicked off the 2024 season with a thrilling 1-1 tie against the USC Beaufort Sand Sharks.

The Warriors took 14 shots with six being on goal in the contest.  Both Jessie Parrott and Bailey Meyer took four shots with Parrott leading the team with two shots on goal.  Meyer, Alli Dalton, Ashley Cerqueira and Ella McCowen each had solo shots on goal.  Meyer's shot on goal led to the lone goal of the game for Southern Wesleyan.  Both Ashley Caballero and Fianna Steves received assists on the goal by Meyer.

USC Beaufort bested Southern Wesleyan in corner kicks as they had seven compared to the Warriors three.  In goal, the junior captain Amanda Magnin played all ninety minutes and accumulated six stellar saves to prevent the Sand Sharks from claiming a victory.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 1, USC Beaufort 1

Records: Southern Wesleyan (0-0-1) USC Beaufort (0-0-1)

Coach Meneses says….

"This is a great start to our season!  We played a very organized game with a lot of intensity.  USCB is a good team from a tough conference and is very well coached.  We will keep working hard and continue our progress with a young group."

How It Happened

Southern Wesleyan attacked quickly as Jessie Parrott drove the ball toward the net, but Emily Worrell stood strong in the goal to prevent the Warriors from taking the lead just three minutes into the first half.  The Sand Sharks countered with attacks of their own by Sophia Willis and Adrianna Martin, but Amanda Magnin dove in front of each of their attacks.  Bailey Meyer and Ashley Caballero sent back-to-back balls toward the net, but each went wide to keep the game tied 0-0 going into half time.

Just seven minutes into the second half of the game, a yellow card on Kassi Martin allowed the Warriors to take a free kick right outside of the box.  Ashley Caballero tapped the ball over to Fianna Steves who sent it directly over to Bailey Meyer.  Meyer drilled the ball into the net to put the Warriors on top 1-0.  The Sand Sharks fought back with shots by Martin, Jenny Hesby and Lene Laugen, but Amanda Magnin and the Warriors defensive line would not let their attacks through.  However, USC Beaufort would not relent as a free kick by Jenny Hesby found Sophia Willis who put a header into the goal to tie it up.  The Warriors fought back with shots by Alli Dalton and Ella McCowen, but Cici Powe prevented Southern Wesleyan from regaining the lead.  The match ended in a 1-1 tie.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will take to the road on September 7 as they travel to Harrogate, TN to take on the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters.  They will then return to Central, SC as they host the Newberry Wolves on Childs Field on September 11.  The Warriors will open up Conference Carolinas action on September 14 on the road as they travel to take on the Francis Marion Patriots.