AVE MARIA, Fla. – The USCB women's soccer team overcame an early deficit to rally for a 5-3 victory in a Sun Conference match at Ave Maria on Saturday. 

Junior Hayley Pina scored her 16th career goal – tying Alexa Muffley for the program's all-time lead – and added a pair of assists to take over the program record with 12 in her career and lead the comeback. Freshman Anna Gignilliat added two goals, including the eventual game-winner for the Sand Sharks, who improved to 5-5 overall and 1-1 in Sun Conference play. 

"This was a great comeback win today for the team," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "We opened slow and Ave Maria jumped on us and scored off defensive miscues. After a few key substitutions, the tempo and flow of the game changed." 

The Gyrenes (2-4, 0-1 TSC) opened the scoring with a Gianna Vega goal in the 14th minute and made it 2-0 on Sarah McBridge's goal in the 22nd minute, but the Sand Sharks came roaring back as Pina, Gignilliat and Felicia Alpenmyr came off the bench to spark the attack.

Pina put away a beautiful cross from MJ Orduna to cut the deficit in half in the 29th minute, and she was taken down in the box four minutes later to earn a penalty that Karen Pimentel converted to tie the match. 

Alpenmyr gave the Sand Sharks the lead with a shot to the back post off an assist from Sarah Withers, and Pina set up the first of Gignilliat's two goals to make it 4-2 in the 39th minute. The duo combined for another goal less than five minutes into the second half for a 5-2 advantage.

McBride added her second goal of the day in the 84th minute, but the Gyrenes didn't get any closer.

"It was great for our attack to get back on the scoresheet and create numerous decent opportunities," Heberling said. "I'm happy with how the team fought back after being behind and controlled the majority of the match."

The Sand Sharks return home for a pair of Sun Conference matches next weekend, hosting St. Thomas at 3 p.m. Friday to wrap up Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and taking on Florida Memorial at noon Sunday.

BOJANGLES' PLAYER OF THE GAME
Hayley Pina 
Junior • Forward • Culver City, Calif.

Pina came off the bench and brought energy to the Sand Sharks' attack, immediately scoring one goal and earning a penalty kick that Karen Pimentel converted to tie the match at 2 before adding two assists later in the match.