AIKEN, S.C. – USC Aiken hung
tough for over seventy minutes but could not hold on for an upset
as visiting Armstrong Atlantic State University (9-2-0, 4-1-0
PBC) scored two late goals to shutout the Lady Pacers (3-8-2,
1-2-1 PBC) 2-0 in Peach Belt Conference women’s soccer
action Saturday evening at “Pacer Pit”. USCA’s strong defense and the play of sophomore goalkeeper Heather Hall kept the match scoreless late into the second half. Hall collected three saves in the first half as the Lady Pirates outshot the Lady Pacers 7-3 in the first half.
Just one minute into the second half, USC Aiken almost broke the tie. Sophomore Annie Whitley broke the defense and faced a one-on-one with AASU keeper Tarra Kohler. The keeper came out towards Whitley and was able to deflect the shot to preserve the shutout.
AASU finally broke through for the game’s first goal in the 74th minute as Amaka Ofuani took a cross from Kristin Burton and beat Hall from close range for her fourth goal of the season.
The Lady Pirates added an insurance goal just over ten minutes later to increase the lead to two. Lyndsyi Stricklen blasted a shot from 35 yards out that sailed just past the reach of Hall and into the net for a beautiful score. The unassisted marker was the fourth of the season for Stricklen.
For the game, the Lady Pacers were outshot 17-6. Hall finished with eight saves and Kohler’s first career shutout included three saves. The Lady Pirates held a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks while committing 15 fouls to USCA’s six.
USC Aiken, in the midst of a four-game homestand, will next be in action on Wednesday, October 4, when they host Lander in another Peach Belt match at 5:00 PM. Armstrong Atlantic next plays USC Upstate on Tuesday, October 3.