MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. — Entering their fourth season, the University of South Carolina Beaufort women's soccer team has dispensed with most of the "firsts," but the Sand Sharks managed to take care of another one Saturday, posting the first season-opening victory in program history with a 4-1 win at Milligan College. 

Freshman Mandy Preciado registered a goal and an assist and sophomore Kimberly Johnson, freshman MJ Orduna and senior Alexa Muffley also scored goals as the Sand Sharks (1-0) avenged last season's 1-0 home loss to the Buffaloes. 

The Sand Sharks wasted no time showing off their enhanced offensive prowess, as sophomore Bridgette Noonan slotted a ball for Johnson, who streaked past a defender to open the scoring in the fifth minute. 

Keri Harrison provided the equalizer for Milligan in the 22nd minute, but USCB answered in the 38th when freshman Hayley Pina headed a ball back to Orduna, who maintained her composure and scored her first collegiate goal. 

That proved to be the game-winner, because USCB dominated possession the rest of the evening and keepers Chelsie Mummert and Fred Gallman kept the Buffaloes off the board the rest of the night. 

The Sand Sharks struck early again in the second half, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. Muffley scored her school-record 11th career goal to make it 3-1, finishing after Preciado flicked a Daniella Borjas corner kick her way. 

Preciado capped the scoring with a nice one-on-one move, beating the defender and taking a touch inside before drilling a shot past the keeper. 

"We wanted to come out in the second half and finish the game off in the first five minutes, and the team responded," USCB head coach Ed Heberling said. "This was a great first game for us, because we were able to get everyone some playing time and an opportunity."

Now the Sand Sharks face a critical week of training before two tough matchups over Labor Day weekend. USCB hosts Georgia Gwinnett at 5 p.m. Saturday and Westminster (Utah) at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1. Both teams narrowly missed cracking the preseason NAIA Top 25. 

"Although we have some items to work on, I feel like we have a great foundation for the season," Heberling said. "Next weekend will be a great test to see where we are."