BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — The University of South Carolina Beaufort soccer team hosted the Bobcats of Georgia College & State University in a Peach Belt Conference matchup Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats struck first midway through the opening half and held on for a 1-0 victory over the Sand Sharks.
USCB falls to 4-5 on the season and 1-3 in Peach Belt Conference play, while GCSU improves to 5-2-1 overall and 3-0 in the PBC.
The Bobcats held a 16-12 advantage in shots, while USCB recorded four shots on goal as Sophia Willis led the Sand Sharks while Graysen Asher started in goal and made nine saves.
Georgia College applied pressure early, forcing Asher to make a save in the opening minutes to keep the game scoreless. The Sand Sharks responded with a corner kick opportunity, but Bobcats goalkeeper Kassidy Fortin made the save to keep USCB off the scoreboard.
The Bobcats capitalized on a free kick in the 29th minute. The ball was sent into the box, where Tessa Balsman finished the opportunity to give GCSU a 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 through the remainder of the opening half and into the halftime break.
After the Bobcats recorded an early shot to begin the second half, the Sand Sharks looked for the equalizer with a shot in the opening minutes that forced a save from Fortin.
USCB continued to apply pressure throughout the half, recording seven corner kicks and eight shots while forcing three saves from the Bobcats goalkeeper.
Midway through the second half, Georgia College looked to extend its lead off a corner kick, but Asher came away with another save to keep the score at 1-0.
Fortin made two more saves in the final minutes to hold on for the shutout and secure the 1-0 victory for the Bobcats.
USCB returns home Wednesday, September 30, at 4 p.m. to face Newberry College in a non-conference matchup. The Sand Sharks will then hit the road for their next conference contest against Georgia Southwestern State University.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
