MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — South Carolina State continued to battle through the final whistle Thursday evening, but the Lady Bulldogs fell 4-0 to the College of Charleston in women's soccer action at Patriots Point.
The Lady Bulldogs moved to 0-6 on the season, while Charleston improved to 3-2-2. The Cougars scored three times in the opening half before adding their final goal after intermission.
Despite facing consistent pressure, South Carolina State received a solid effort in goal from
Jada Gittings and
Alexa Smith. Gittings played the opening 45 minutes and recorded five saves, while Smith entered for the second half and made three saves. Together, the Lady Bulldog goalkeepers finished with eight saves.
Offensively,
Aaliyah Silver provided SC State's attacking opportunities throughout the contest. Silver accounted for all three of the Lady Bulldogs' shots, including an early attempt in the sixth minute. She continued to push forward after halftime with attempts in the 52nd and 78th minutes.
Charleston opened the scoring at the 10:52 mark when Bella Antonio found the back of the net. Maggie Heffernan extended the advantage in the 28th minute before Mary Martin Spinner scored just over a minute later, sending the Cougars into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
SC State showed resilience coming out of the break. Silver generated another opportunity in the 52nd minute, while Smith made a save on Spinner in the 63rd minute to keep the Lady Bulldogs battling. Charleston's Emma Bromley accounted for the only goal of the second half, scoring at the 64:40 mark.
The Lady Bulldogs' defensive effort was tested throughout the night as Charleston finished with 38 shots, including 12 on goal. SC State recorded eight saves and limited the Cougars to one second-half goal after surrendering three in the opening 45 minutes. Charleston held a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks.
South Carolina State continued to compete late in the match. Smith stopped additional Charleston attempts in the 70th and 85th minutes, while Silver produced the Lady Bulldogs' final shot in the 78th minute.
SC State will look to build on its second-half defensive effort as the Lady Bulldogs continue their 2026 campaign under second-year head coach
Andrew Richardson.
