BLUFFTON – The USCB women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the season Sunday, falling 4-2 to No. 14 Campbellsville on Youth Day at Fin Land Field.
The Sand Sharks played even with the undefeated Tigers for 72 minutes, but Campbellsville scored three goals in a 10-minute span to break open an evenly-matched contest.
"Today was a great game for us and the reason we scheduled Campbellsville," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "They came at us fast and put us under pressure, which we didn't see in the first two matches."
The Sand Sharks took an early lead in the 25th minute, when MJ Orduna expertly played a through-ball for Felicia Alpenmyr and the Swedish freshman blasted a shot beyond the reach of All-America goalkeeper Amanda Howard.
The Tigers answered quickly when Lakin Wells took a tough angle and chipped a shot over USCB keeper Taylor Superior and into the side netting to even the match in the 32nd minute.
That's where it stood until the 73rd minute, when fatigue began to catch up to a USCB defense that spent much of the hot, steamy day giving chase to the Tigers' direct style of play. A lapse gave Wells too much space in the middle of the field, and she chipped a shot past Superior to give Campbellsville its first lead of the game.
Another defensive lapse allowed Valeska Tovar to beat Superior three minutes later, and Erica McWilliams converted a penalty in the 82nd minute to make it a 4-1 Tigers lead.
The Sand Sharks came back with a spirited attack and cut into the deficit in the 86th minute, when Hayley Pina played a beautiful cross from the end line and freshman Brooke Newman was able to tap it in for her first collegiate goal.
"We need to continue to improve on winning 50/50 balls and playing under pressure, but we adjusted well to playing against a different style of team," Heberling said. "I really liked the way we fought back after the penalty kick. It's upsetting to lose, but I know this team will improve in training and come out ready to play next weekend."
USCB continues its homestand over Labor Day weekend, hosting Faulkner (Ala.) at 1 p.m. Saturday and Brenau (Ga.) at 1 p.m. Monday. The Sand Sharks have dubbed September "Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month" and will have special activities and raise funds for the Leo's Legacy charity at every home game throughout the month.
FIN FACTS
• With her assist on Newman's late goal, Pina pulled even with Alexa Muffley (2011-15) atop USCB's career list with 36 points. Pina ranks second on the Sand Sharks' all-time list with 10 assists – one behind Jessica Tooley (2012-13) – and is tied for second with 13 goals, three back of Muffley.
• USCB began the season with a streak of 212 minutes without allowing a goal before Wells broke through in the 32nd minute.
• Seven different players have scored goals for the Sand Sharks and three more have registered assists through three games. A total of nine players scored goals and 12 recorded points for USCB last season.
BOJANGLES' PLAYER OF THE GAME
Felicia Alpenmyr
Freshman • Forward • Ahus, Sweden
Alpenmyr was the catalyst for USCB's attack, especially in the first half, and scored her second career goal with a beautiful shot that opened the scoring in the 25th minute. She had a total of four shots on goal and would have had a second goal if not for an impressive kick save from All-America goalkeeper Amanda Howard.
