CLINTON, S.C. — South Carolina State women's soccer showed fight throughout the night, scoring in each half before falling 4-2 to Presbyterian College on Tuesday at Martin Stadium.
The Lady Bulldogs (0-12-1) received goals from
Emmi Sullivan and
Vanessa Coleman, with Coleman's second-half strike pulling SC State within one before Presbyterian answered with an insurance goal. SC State finished with 10 shots, including five on goal.
Presbyterian struck first when Maddie Smith scored in the 11th minute to give the Blue Hose an early 1-0 advantage. Katy Verdery extended the lead in the 39th minute, but the Lady Bulldogs quickly responded.
Less than two minutes later, Sullivan found the back of the net at the
39:47 mark, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with her second goal of the season. Presbyterian answered just before halftime when Smith scored her second goal of the match at 42:23, sending SC State into the break trailing 3-1.
SC State continued to battle in the second half.
Kyndall Jenkins put a shot on goal in the 64th minute, forcing a save from Presbyterian goalkeeper Alexa Garcia. The Lady Bulldogs then broke through again at
73:01, when Coleman scored her first goal of the season to trim Presbyterian's advantage to 3-2.
With SC State back within striking distance, Presbyterian responded at 78:34 when Anna Hussey scored to push the margin to 4-2. Sullivan nearly added another goal moments later, putting a shot on target that Garcia saved.
Sullivan led the Lady Bulldogs with
two shots, both on goal, and one goal, while Coleman finished with a team-high
three shots and one goal. Aaliyah Silver and Jenkins each recorded two shots with one on target.
Goalkeeper
Jada Gittings played 81:07 and recorded four saves, while
Alexa Smith played the final 8:53 and made two saves without allowing a goal. Presbyterian held a 26-10 advantage in shots and a 14-2 edge in corner kicks, while SC State's goalkeepers combined for six saves.
SC State Match Highlights
- Final: Presbyterian 4, SC State 2
- SC State goals: Emmi Sullivan (39:47), Vanessa Coleman (73:01)
- Sullivan: 2 shots, 2 shots on goal, 1 goal
- Coleman: 3 shots, 1 shot on goal, 1 goal
- SC State shots: 10
- Shots on goal: 5
- Goalkeeper saves: 6
- Corner kicks: 2
- Halftime score: Presbyterian 3, SC State 1
- SC State record: 0-12-1
The Lady Bulldogs will look to regroup and carry their two-goal offensive effort into their next matchup.
