The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's soccer team looks to start Sun Conference play on a positive note when the Sand Sharks host Southeastern at 4 p.m. Thursday at Fin Land Field. The Sand Sharks are playing their first home game in two weeks and coming off a 1-0 defeat at Brenau (Ga.) on Saturday – their third one-goal defeat in their last four matches. The Sand Sharks turned in a strong effort against the Golden Tigers, keeping pressure on Brenau's defense throughout the night, but were unable to find the back of the net. USCB plays a pair of home matches against Sun Conference foes this week, hosting Ave Maria at 1 p.m. Saturday for the Homecoming match. The Sand Sharks have won three consecutive regular-season Sun Conference matches dating to last season. 

SCOUTING SOUTHEASTERN

The Fire have won four of their first five games – three by shutout – and are coming off back-to-back shutout victories over Oglethorpe and Ave Maria last week. Their lone defeat was a 3-0 loss at NCAA Division II Eckerd on Sept. 7. Eight players have scored goals for Southeastern with sophomore Sam Pifer and senior Bre Eldridge leading the way with three apiece. Pifer and sophomore Hunter Talley are tied for the team lead with two assists, and Eldridge has netted a team-high two game-winners. Jessica McClernan has earned the bulk of the playing time in goal, allowing four goals for a 1.15 goals against average with 14 saves, but fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Romero is the reigning Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording a shutout against Ave Maria on Saturday. 

NOTES

BATTLE TESTED: While the Sand Sharks did not produce the results they desired during the non-conference season, they hope their challenging early-season slate will pay dividends with Sun Conference play beginning. USCB's first eight opponents were a combined 30-19-3 entering play Wednesday with seven of the eight boasting records of .500 or better. 

TOP OF THE CHARTS: Senior MF Alexa Muffley is USCB's career leader in goals (12) and points (28). Muffley took over the career lead in points with an assist in the season-opener vs. Middle Georgia and netted her first goal of the season in the second half against Truett-McConnell.

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION: Senior Pascale Rocca took over in goal for the second half of the Truett-McConnell game and has been a steadying influence at the position ever since. Despite never having played the position in college, Rocca has posted strong numbers in four games in goal, leading the team in saves (25), goals against average (2.91) and save percentage (.714). 

RELATED LINKS

USCB Season Statistics

Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings

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