SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USCB soccer used seven different goal scorers on Wednesday, as the Sand Sharks dismantled Converse, 8-1, at Hayden Abney Fulp Field. 

The Sand Sharks have won all four games this year, which marks their hottest start in program history. The four-game winning streak is also one win away from matching the program's longest mark that was set during the 2013 campaign. USCB won five straight games to end the regular season that year. 

Senior Anna Gignilliat earned her way onto the scorebook with a goal late in the first half at Converse. Four games into the year, she has seven goals, which already places her tied for fifth all-time in program history in a single season. Also with her goal on Wednesday, Gignilliat moved up the career record book in points, as she is now in third place with 37 career points. 

Inside The Box Score

Julia Gherardi - two goals scored

Six other Sand Sharks - one goal each

Allison Schaffer and Gabriella Baldo - two assists each

Four other Sand Sharks - one assist each

USCB dominated all aspects of the game, including shots (36-2), shots on goal (23-1) and corners (7-2).

How It Happened

USCB dominated the possession early, as it took eight shots in the first 14 minutes of play. Four of those attempts were put on frame, but the Converse goalkeeper saved the shots on goal.

The Valkyries broke the scoreless match in the 18th minute off a defensive miscue. A Valkyrie connected with a cross into the 6-yard box, and a Sand Shark was the first player to get to the ball. The USCB player connected with the ball to clear it, but it deflected off a Valkyrie and rolled into the USCB net to give Converse the 1-0 lead.

The Converse lead did not last long though, as Sydnee Metzold recorded her first goal of the season. Gignilliat fed a cross from the left side of the pitch and found an unmarked Metzold inside the 18-yard box. The rookie then drilled the right side of the net to knot the game at 1-all.

Just five minutes later, Lexi Kaeser gave USCB its first lead of the game when she tallied her second goal of the year. Schaffer connected a pass to Kaeser within the penalty box, and Kaeser drilled a shot off the right post and into the middle of the net. The goal gave the Sand Sharks the 2-1 lead. 

USCB's next shot attempt came in the 31st minute when Schaffer took a corner kick from the left side of the field. Her lofted ball found Eva Hormazabal, and the freshman dished a pass back to Brooke Newman near the top of the 18-yard box. Newman then lofted a shot over the goalkeeper's head and advanced the lead to 3-1.

The Sand Sharks then took a three-goal lead into halftime when Gignilliat scored a goal for the fourth straight game. Metzold connected a pass to the reigning Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week, and Gignilliat then went one-on-one with the Valkyrie goalkeeper. Her first shot was saved, but Gignilliat was able to regain possession and tap the ball into the open net.

Within 10 minutes of the second half, USCB connected with four shots on goal. All of the attempts were saved to keep the game at 4-1.

After making a plethora of substitutions, Gherardi earned her way onto the scorebook with her first goal of the 2019 season. Baldo streaked up the right side of the field and drilled a low cross to Gherardi at the left post. With the goalkeeper out of position, the freshman tapped the ball into the net and gave USCB a four-goal advantage. 

In the 76th minute, Hannah Salus also joined in on the scoring to take the 6-1 lead. Salus worked her way over the midfield line when she found Mari Kalvatn open. Behind fundamental one-touch passing, Kalvatn reconnected with Salus who snuck behind the Valkyrie backline. Salus went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and slid the ball into the back of the net. 

USCB added two more goals in the 83rd and 85th minutes. Baldo scored USCB's seventh goal of the contest, as she also beat the goalkeeper one-on-one. Gherardi capped off the scoring for the Sand Sharks, as she earned another tap-in goal that was similar to her goal scored earlier in the contest. 

Team Record Updates

USCB - 4-0-0

Converse - 0-0-0, exhibition for the Valkyries

What's Next?

USCB will return home for the first time in nearly a month, when it hosts Milligan on Monday, Sept. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Fin Land Field.