BLUFFTON, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's soccer team played a promising first half in the opening game of its second season, but a strong squad from Brenau (Ga.) pulled away in the second half for a 6-0 victory Friday at Fin Land Field.

Esther Anyanwu scored four goals and assisted on another and Tori Brown made six saves in the shutout for the Golden Tigers, who received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Top 25. But the Sand Sharks' ability to control possession for the first few minutes and go into halftime with a 1-0 deficit was a positive step for coach Ed Heberling's team.

“To hang with them for a half, we have something we can build from,” Heberling said. “It's a work in progress. It's just a matter of putting this one behind us and building on the positives.”

The Sand Sharks (0-1) were able to keep it close in the first half, as the only goal came in the 15^th minute when Anyanwu perched at the far post and put away a corner kick from Kirsty Smith. But USCB generated only three shots in the half. When the Sand Sharks stepped up their attack after halftime – they produced 10 shots in the final 45 minutes, including one from Pascale Rocca that forced Brown to make a spectacular save and one from Jessica Tooley that deflected off the crossbar – the Golden Tigers were able to take advantage.

Anyanwu was the greatest beneficiary. She made a brilliant one-on-one move and tucked a shot just beneath the crossbar in the 58^th minute to make it 2-0 and finished off the hat trick with a header off a cross from Monica Sanchez in the 61^st.

The Golden Tigers (1-0) added two more goals in the 70^th minute, as Jenny Knibbs assisted Sanchez and Anyanwu set up Knibbs to make it 5-0. Anyanwu capped the scoring with a penalty kick at the 90-minute mark after being taken down by USCB goalie Chelsie Mummert on a breakaway.

“I thought we played a really inspired first half,” Heberling said. “It's just a matter of doing that for two halves now.”

The Sand Sharks are back home at Fin Land Field to take on St. Xavier (Ill.) at 1 p.m. Sunday. Live stats and live video will be offered at www.uscbathletics.com/live.