CHARLOTTE, N.C. — South Carolina State showed resilience on both ends of the field Sunday afternoon, battling Queens University of Charlotte before falling 3-1 in women's soccer action at Queens Sports Complex.
Despite the final margin, the Lady Bulldogs remained within striking distance for much of the contest and received a strong performance in goal from
Jada Gittings, who finished with
nine saves, including seven in the second half. South Carolina State finished with eight shots, putting five on goal, while Queens recorded 23 shots with 12 on target.
Queens (1-4-1) jumped ahead early behind two goals from McKayla Budion. Budion opened the scoring in the eighth minute off an assist from Grace Acevedo before adding an unassisted goal at the 19:49 mark.
South Carolina State (0-7) refused to let the early deficit dictate the remainder of the half.
The Lady Bulldogs responded in the
34th minute when
Emmi Sullivan found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Liya Ferguson provided the assist, pulling SC State within 2-1 at the 33:17 mark. The goal came shortly after an Eiliyah Tomes attempt was blocked and SC State earned a corner kick, highlighting an attacking stretch that allowed the Lady Bulldogs to carry momentum into halftime.
SC State was efficient with its first-half opportunities, putting three of its four shots on frame.
Denive Guy-Williams and Ayla Tindall each forced saves from Queens goalkeeper Emily Protiva before Sullivan broke through for the Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Bulldogs continued to compete after intermission. Sarah Listrom generated an opportunity in the 57th minute, while
Jaelyn Moore put an attempt on target in the 69th minute that was turned away by Protiva.
Queens eventually added an insurance goal at 76:44 when Grace Acevedo scored off assists from Juliana Hunter and Addison Mello to make it 3-1.
SC State continued attacking rather than conceding the contest. Aaliyah Silver produced an attempt in the 81st minute, and Ferguson put another shot on goal in the 87th minute. Gittings also closed the match with a strong sequence in net, making several late saves, including stopping a
Queens penalty kick at 89:41.
The Lady Bulldogs finished with
five shots on goal on eight attempts, with Sullivan accounting for the team's goal and Ferguson collecting the assist. Tindall, Guy-Williams and Moore also registered shots on target. Gittings played all 90 minutes and turned away nine of the 12 shots she faced.
South Carolina State also played a disciplined match, committing just
four fouls compared with 11 by Queens. The Lady Bulldogs earned three corner kicks and held
48% of the possession, compared with 52% for the Royals.
SC State Notables
- Emmi Sullivan: 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
- Liya Ferguson: 1 assist, 1 shot on goal
- Jada Gittings: 9 saves in 90 minutes
- Jaelyn Moore: 1 shot on goal
- Ayla Tindall: 1 shot on goal
- Denive Guy-Williams: 1 shot on goal
- Team: 8 shots, 5 on goal, 3 corner kicks and 4 fouls
- Possession: SC State 48%, Queens 52%
The result moved South Carolina State to
0-7 on the season, while Queens improved to
1-4-1. The match drew an attendance of 115.
