BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort Women's Soccer team faced the No. 17-ranked North Georgia Nighthawks Saturday afternoon. North Georgia held on for a 4-3 win over the Sand Sharks after USCB's comeback attempt fell short.
USCB is now 3-3 on the season with an 0-1 conference record, while North Georgia improves to 5-1 on the season with a 1-0 conference record.
"It's a tough result and I thought 3 points could have been there for us, but we played on the front foot, we didn't back down, and we attacked and pressed one of the top teams in the country. I can take solace with that on the day stated," Gary Boughton head coach of USCB soccer.
The Sand Sharks found the back of the net three times from three different players, with goals from Kate Johnson, Skylar Scott, and Adriane Skelton. Lauren Carmichael and Kassi Martin each recorded an assist in the game. Graysen Asher started in goal and made eight saves.
North Georgia struck first in the game with an early goal by Angelina Noorbehesht to give the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead.
Looking to answer back, the Sand Sharks sent three shots on goal in a two-minute span, creating a couple of scoring opportunities. However, Nighthawks goalkeeper Kayleigh Marreel was able to make the saves, keeping North Georgia in front 1-0.
The score remained 1-0 into the second part of the first half before Skylar Scott capitalized on a scoring opportunity from a penalty kick to even the score at 1-1.
A few minutes later, the Sand Sharks capitalized on a scoring opportunity from a corner kick. Lauren Carmichael sent the ball near the goal, and Kate Johnson finished the play by sending it into the back of the net to give USCB a 2-1 lead.
Asher helped keep the game in favor of the Sand Sharks at halftime, making three saves before the break as USCB led 2-1 through the first 45 minutes.
Just over five minutes into the second half, North Georgia found the tying goal on a shot from Madelyn Neff, with an assist from Grace McGill, to make it 2-2.
North Georgia later regained the lead on a goal set up by Neff, who found McGill to give the Nighthawks a 3-2 advantage. McGill then scored her second goal of the game on a penalty kick to extend North Georgia's lead to 4-2.
USCB, applying high pressure on the attack, was able to cut the deficit in half in the 81st minute. Kassi Martin sent in a corner kick that led to an Adriane Skelton goal, giving the Sand Sharks their third goal of the game. North Georgia held a 4-3 lead late in the match.
The Sand Sharks forced a couple more shot opportunities late, including two shots on goal, but the Nighthawks were able to hold off USCB's comeback attempt and secure the 4-3 conference-opening win.
USCB is next on the road against Clayton State at 5:00 p.m. on September 16 in Morrow, Georgia.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
