BLUFFTON, S.C. – A
Maren White penalty-kick goal in the 88th minute propelled the Lander women's soccer team to its first Peach Belt Conference win of the season over USC Beaufort at Fin Land Field on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 3-2.
Lander (6-0-3, 1-0-2 PBC) had seven shots on goal to the Sand Sharks' four. Four of those came in a first half that saw the Bearcats gain a 2-0 lead after 45 minutes.
Angele Hills sent a right-to-left cross to
Romie Llewellyn in the 18th minute, who with a bit of good fortune was able to push one past the Sand Shark keeper for a 1-0 advantage.
White shortly thereafter (24th minute) sent a free kick into Lander's offensive zone where
Emma Sexton performed something of a circus act with her left foot and kicked the ball out of the air and into the back of the net for the two-goal lead.
USC Beaufort (6-3-3, 3-2-1 PBC) trimmed the deficit in half 12 minutes into the second half before evening the game at 2 late in the 80th minute.
But the Bearcats were not to be denied.
Thanks to a USCB foul in the penalty area, White had the opportunity to put Lander back on top – and she did just that by beating the keeper to the bottom right corner of the net. The Bearcat defense held strong over the final two minutes to ensure victory.
Lander stays on the road this Saturday with a trip to Georgia College in more conference action. Kickoff in Milledgeville is scheduled for 1 p.m.
