BLUFFTON, S.C. - Behind Anna Gignilliat's four-goal performance on Wednesday afternoon, USCB soccer claimed its first conference win of the season, 4-2, over Warner at Fin Land Field. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Gignilliat - four goals, ties school record for most goals in a single game, 11 career goals which is tied for second-most in a single season

Allison Schaffer, Madeline Matusik and Mina Ljosland - one assist each

Lexi Kaeser - two shots, both on goal

Logan Leask - four saves 

HIGHLIGHTS

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening minutes were slow for each squad, but in the 15th minute, USCB's Gignilliat opened the scoring with her first goal in the last six games. Warner committed a foul near midfield, and Schaffer took the free kick. The long ball by Schaffer was eventually corralled by Gignilliat. She broke between two Warner defenders and ripped a shot on goal. The Royal goalkeeper put her hands on it, but the ball still found its way into the net to give the Sand Sharks the early 1-0 advantage. 

The final 30 minutes of the first half were fairly even. Each team forced one shot on goal and combined for three shots in that same span.

At the halftime break, USCB was leading Warner, 1-0. The Sand Sharks held the narrow 5-2 lead in shots, while Warner had one corner to its name in the first 45 minutes of play. 

Warner came out firing after the halftime break with two shots on goal in the first five minutes. The second attempt found the back of the net though, as Maddie Manzke tied the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute. 

The Sand Sharks retaliated quickly, as Gignilliat took advantage of a one-on-one opportunity with the Royal goalkeeper. Gignilliat found the loose ball after a goal kick, and after miscommunication with the Warner backline, Gignilliat found herself in open space. She took a right-footed shot, which was slotted into the right side of the net and gave USCB the 2-1 lead. 

In the 72nd minute, Gignilliat recorded the hat trick, as Matusik slotted her a low cross within the 18-yard box. Matusik worked up the right side of the field and once she came near the Warner 18-yard box, two Royals pressed her. Before they reached the Columbia College transfer, Matusik connected a low cross to Gignilliat who then slotted a shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Her third goal of the game advanced the lead to 3-1.

Warner didn't give in though, as it made it a one-goal game just a few minutes later. Cristina Clements took a shot from distance, and the shot went through the hands of the USCB goalkeeper and rolled into the net.

The Sand Shark quickly responded though when Gignilliat tallied her fourth goal in the 80th minute. The fourth goal of the game brought her season total to 11 and sealed the 4-2 victory for USCB.

QUOTABLES

TEAM RECORD UPDATES

USCB - 5-5 overall, 1-2 Sun Conference

Warner - 2-8 overall, 1-3 Sun Conference

WHAT'S NEXT?

USCB will make the trek to Miami Gardens, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 12 to take on Florida Memorial. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.