Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C. — The USCB women's soccer team closed the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 1-0 victory at Columbia International on Saturday. 

Brittney Neser scored the game's lone goal in the 48th minute and USCB turned in a dominant defensive effort as the Sand Sharks evened their record at 4-4. 

"It feels good to get a win," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "Our backline did extremely well tonight, as they were instrumental in only allowing the one shot."

The Sand Sharks outshot the Rams 18-1 and held a 10-0 edge in shots on goal as freshman Moa Johansson was credited with a shutout without registering a save. 

The match was scoreless at halftime, but USCB broke through less than three minutes after the break. Neser cleaned up a 50-50 ball in the box and slipped it inside the left post for her second goal in two games to give the Sand Sharks the lead. 

"We continued to keep the pressure high and create opportunities, but we are not putting them in," Heberling said. "We opened the half with a fortunate goal and were able to continue to create and defend."

The Rams had very few opportunities, but their best chance came in the final five minutes when Johansson came off her line and allowed Alanna Battermann to slip past her before USCB's Poppy Miller swooped in to clear her shot off the goal line and preserve the shutout. 

The victory gives the Sand Sharks momentum heading into Sun Conference play, which begins Thursday with a trip to Southeastern. 

"It feels good to get the win as we head into conference play," Heberling said. "We will continue to work hard and improve this week at training as we prepare for Southeastern and Ave Maria."

BOJANGLES' PLAYER OF THE GAME
Karen Pimentel 
Junior • Midfielder • Los Angeles, Calif. 

Pimentel continued her dominant play in the midfield, helping the Sand Sharks limit Columbia International's scoring chances and serving as a catalyst for the Sand Sharks' counterattack.