ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) soccer team was on the road Saturday afternoon for a conference matchup against Flagler. The Saints used a goal in each half to take a 2-0 lead before holding on for a 2-1 victory over the Sand Sharks.
The Sand Sharks drop to 8-2-2 on the season with a 3-2-2 conference record, while Flagler improves to 4-5-2 overall and 2-3-1 in Peach Belt Conference play.
Jasiah Pack scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season—an unassisted effort. The Sand Sharks finished with 11 shots, four of which were on goal. Goalkeeper Graysen Asher recorded four saves in the match.
Flagler had their first scoring opportunity early in the game, earning two corner kicks and taking four shots in the opening six minutes. However, the Sand Shark defense held strong, keeping the game scoreless after a blocked attempt.
It was late in the first half when the Saints broke through. At the 41:32 mark, Anastasia Whitehouse scored into the lower part of the goal off an assist from Olivia Dragone to give Flagler a 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of Flagler heading into the halftime break.
USCB looked to respond early in the second half, with a shot in the opening minute saved by Flagler goalkeeper Phoebe Carpenter. The Sand Sharks continued to apply offensive pressure, earning a corner kick and nearly equalizing with a shot that hit the post.
Flagler extended its lead in the 63rd minute, as Brooke Rienecker scored to the top of the net to make it 2-0.
The Sand Sharks pulled one back in the 76th minute, when Jasiah Pack fired a shot into the lower right corner of the goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
In the closing minutes, USCB managed to force a save and get a couple of shots off, but Flagler held on for the 2-1 win on Saturday afternoon.
The Sand Sharks return to action with two road games this week, beginning with a non-conference matchup against SC State on October 15, followed by a conference game at Lander on October 18th.
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