The USCB women's soccer team looks to remain unbeaten on the road when the Sand Sharks travel to Columbia College for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 

It's the third meeting between the in-state rivals, but the first since the Koalas edged USCB 3-2 in Columbia in 2012 – the Sand Sharks' second season of existence. 

"I'm excited to renew the series between us and Columbia College," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "We are the only two NAIA schools in the state of South Carolina, and both offer a high level of play. I know the team will be excited to play under the lights for the first time this season. Night games have always brought out strong performances from our team." 

The Sand Sharks have been able to put plenty of pressure on opposing goalkeepers – USCB ranks eighth in the NAIA in shots on goal per game (13.5) and 13th in shots per game (23.83) – and they were able to finish those opportunities in Saturday's 4-2 win at Middle Georgia. Junior Hayley Pina scored twice in that match, and seniors Taylor Superior and Caroline Bowman each assisted on a goal from the other in USCB's most impressive offensive performance of the season.

"Columbia will be organized with talented players throughout the squad," Heberling said. "We will need to continue the level of play we showed on Saturday while maintaining possession and creating chances."

The Koalas have lost three of their last four matches following a 2-0 start and are coming off a 2-0 defeat at Milligan (Tenn.) on Saturday despite outpacing the Buffaloes 13-9 in shots on goal. Sophomore forward Courtney Carrier leads the team in goals (6) and points (15) and is tied for the team lead with three assists, while senior forward Ashley Tanner (4G, 3A) also has been dangerous. Junior Kat Yahnke has seen most of the time in goal, recording 40 saves on 50 shots on goal and a 2.04 goals against average.
 

FIN FACTS

• With two goals versus Middle Georgia, junior F Hayley Pina became USCB's career leader for points (40), surpassing Alexa Muffley. Pina also ranks second for goals (15) and assists (10) in USCB history. She trails Muffley by one goal and is one assist behind Jessica Tooley for the all-time lead in each category.

• USCB has won its first two road games to start a season for the first time since recording victories at Converse and Warren Wilson in 2012. The Sand Sharks have never won their first three road games of the season, and the school record for road wins in a season is four set in 2012 and matched in 2013.

• USCB opened the season with back-to-back shutouts – the first consecutive clean sheets  since the Sand Sharks recorded consecutive 1-0 wins over St. Andrews and Southeastern in October 2013. 

• Nine different players have scored goals and three more have registered assists for the Sand Sharks with Pina leading the team with seven points. Pina (3) and freshman F Felicia Alpenmyr (2) are the only Sand Sharks with multiple goals. 
 

RELATED LINKS

USCB Schedule and Results

USCB 2016 Statistics

Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings

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