GREENWOOD – With fans packed in the stands and the sun shining down on
Van Taylor Stadium Saturday afternoon, the Lander women's soccer team put together a complete performance en route to a 1-0 win over USC Beaufort in the PBC quarterfinals.
The win marks the fourth semifinal appearance in the last five years for Lander.
The No. 2 seed Bearcats will face the No. 3 seed Columbus State Cougars on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in the semifinal round after their 4-0 shutout of USCA this afternoon.
The Blue and Gold outshot the seventh-seeded Sand Sharks 16-3 and put seven shots on net during the match.
Lucy Bova scored her second goal of the season to begin the second half after a scoreless first.
Claire Regnault sent a cross to her fellow senior who was wide open in front of the net and Bova headed it past an outstretched keeper in the 50th minute.
Though it turned out to be the final goal of the match,
Maddie Leber almost scored twice in the 53rd and 55th minutes.
Leber tried going to the top-left corner of the net on her first chance but it was saved brilliantly by the USCB netminder. She soon after corralled
Gabby Redman's cross and set up a left-footed shot that was again narrowly punched over the crossbar.
The Bearcats had seven corner-kicks and
Leah Hayes Coen produced her sixth solo clean sheet this year.
Kick-off for Wednesday's game is at 5 p.m. from
Van Taylor Stadium. Lander topped Columbus State 2-1 on the road on Oct. 11.
