BLUFFTON, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's soccer team put together a second-half rally but was unable to finish the comeback Thursday, falling 4-2 to visiting Southeastern in both teams' Sun Conference opener.

The Sand Sharks put the pressure on the Fire in the opening minutes but were unable to break through and lost two starting midfielders early as Bridgette Noonan was injured less than two minutes in and Hanna Crist was injured in the 13th minute. 

Southeastern weathered the early assault from USCB and capitalized on a foul in the box, as Alyssa Kaminski scored on a penalty kick in the 16th minute to break the deadlock. The Fire converted again in the 33rd minute when Karly Palmar scored off an assist from Syndi Brookhouser for a 2-0 lead. 

"Extremely disappointing match," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "We are far too inconsistent, and it put us behind – again – early in the match."

Kaminski and Heidi Ruth each added goals early in the second half before the Sand Sharks were able to mount a comeback and cut the deficit in half. 

Hayley Pina was fouled in the box to earn a penalty, which Alexandria Radue converted for her second goal of the season in the 69th minute. USCB scored again six minutes later when MJ Orduna made a run up the right flank and played the ball into Pina, who flicked it to the far post for Sarah Withers to bury with a header.

"It was good that we were able to find the net a couple times in the second half," Heberling said. "Unfortunately it came a little too late and we couldn't find another goal." 

The Sand Sharks hope to carry the momentum from the final 20 minutes into another key conference match, as they host Ave Maria at 1 p.m. Saturday. The contest is the centerpiece of USCB's Homecoming celebration, including the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen at halftime.

"We have to bounce back and be ready to play on Saturday," Heberling said. "A focused, consistent team effort will be needed to walk away with a Homecoming win."