BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Sand Shark Soccer opened the 2025 season with a 4-1 victory over Chowan University. After the Hawks tied the match at 1-1 in the second half, the Sand Sharks responded with three unanswered goals, including the go-ahead score by Anna Wandrie.

"I thought it was a great collective effort today — a total team win to get us started on the right foot," stated head coach Gary Boughton following the victory.

The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) earned its first season-opening win since 2023, while Gary Boughton recorded his first victory as head coach of the Sand Sharks.

"It's always fun as a coach to win the first one in a new place, and I'm really grateful for all the support today — but it was all the ladies and their efforts that made it easy on me," he added.

Sophia Willis opened the scoring and finished with two goals in the season opener. Anna Wandrie and Kasey Thompson each added a goal. Izzy Amphlett led the team with two assists, and Thompson also contributed one assist. Ciazia Powe was in goal for the Sand Sharks victory.

"Izzy Amphlett had a couple of crucial assists for us today," Boughton said. "I thought she stepped up massively and made a huge impact on the game."

After a competitive start, the Sand Sharks had chances, including an opportunity off a corner kick in the opening 10 minutes that missed wide. Willis capitalized on a scoring opportunity after the Sand Sharks forced a turnover. Amphlett delivered a cross, and Willis converted it for the team's first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.

In the 42nd minute, USCB threatened again with back-to-back shots, both saved by Chowan goalkeeper Gracie Ross.

The Sand Sharks took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Hawks tied the match in the second half when Laura Hulme converted a penalty kick after a handball was called in the box, evening the score at 1-1.

USCB responded quickly. Within five minutes, Wandrie put the Sand Sharks back on top. Off a throw-in, Amphlett gained possession and set up Wandrie, making it 2-1.

In the 69th minute, Thompson prevented Chowan from clearing the ball and found Willis, who buried her second goal of the match to extend the lead to 3-1.

Thompson then sealed the victory with a goal of her own. She kept the ball from being cleared from the goalkeeper and fired it into the back of the net to put the final touches on the 4-1 win.