ANDERSON, S.C. -- Freshman Ashley Cotton notched her first career goal in the 88th minute of action, but it wasnt quite enough as USC Aiken edged the Trojans, 2-1, in womens soccer action Friday night at the AU Soccer Field. Anderson (0-2) put pressure on the Pacers early when forward Jessica Kleinberg lifted a cross into the box just two minutes into the contest, but AU was unable to capitalize on the quick opportunity. The freshman combination of Kleinberg and Joelle Purinton pushing out in front down both sides of the pitch kept USC Aiken on the defensive for much of the opening frame. The pressure nearly paid dividends when Purinton broke open on the left side at the 17:24 mark, but her shot carried just left of the post. Moments later, AU keeper Kelli Whitfield found herself well in front of the net, but was able to block USCA's Diana Eaton from notching the first score of the afternoon. Eaton's attempt was the first of a flurry of shots that the AU defense turned away in an 11-minute span. Anderson's Kristi Caldwell threatened to get the Trojans on the board late in the opening frame when she curled a shot toward the Pacer net, but USCA keeper Nicole Westphal made a diving stop going to her left and the two teams went to intermission scoreless. USC Aiken (1-1) spoiled AU's home-opener when senior Alie Brady scored in the 69th minute and teammate Carly Minx followed with the game-winner seven minutes later. The Trojans stayed focused and garnered momentum in the closing minutes of the contest, firing four shots in the final six-plus minutes. Cotton's attempt in the 84th minute went wide and Caldwell nearly scored at the 86:58 mark, but her shot hit the post and Cotton did find the net when she collected the rebound and put it away. "We fought the full ninety minutes," said Anderson head coach Jason Dowiak. "We had our chances in the last 10 minutes. But there were positives to take away from the match. We're young and we'll benefit from this game." Next up for the Trojans is a Saturday night contest versus Lander, with the action starting at 7 p.m. at the AU Soccer field on campus.
June 17, 2010
Trojan Women's Soccer Adds Nine for 2010
January 29, 2010
Women's Soccer Earns National Recognition
November 7, 2009
Top-Seeded Belmont Abbey Slips Past Trojans
November 6, 2009
Trojans Advance to Championship
November 5, 2009
Trojans Earn All-Conference Honors
November 4, 2009
Third-Seeded Anderson Tops Erskine
November 4, 2009
Kleinberg Named Conference Player of the Week
November 1, 2009
Women's Soccer Downs Mt. Olive - Claims 3rd Seed
October 28, 2009
Women's Soccer Downs Limestone
October 27, 2009
Cotton Earns Player of the Week Honors
October 26, 2009
Trojans Defeat North Greenville on Senior Night
October 24, 2009
Trojans Upend Coker
October 22, 2009
Trojans Continue Win Streak By Blanking Lees-McRae
October 21, 2009
Trojans Top Mars Hill - Win Second Straight
October 20, 2009
Trojans Top St. Andrews on Homecoming
October 15, 2009
Soccer Matches Rescheduled
October 14, 2009
Soccer Matches at Limestone Postponed
October 10, 2009
Soccer Matches Postponed
October 6, 2009
Kleinberg Named Player of the Week
October 5, 2009
Trojans Defeat Converse for Second Straight Win
October 5, 2009
Women's Soccer Drops Decision at North Georgia
September 30, 2009
Women's Soccer Outlasts Belmont Abbey
September 26, 2009
Trojans Stumble at Pfeiffer
September 24, 2009
Erskine Edges Trojans
September 22, 2009
Settle Earns Player of the Week Honors
September 19, 2009
Overtime Goal lifts Womens Soccer Past Barton
September 14, 2009
Womens Soccer Falls to Queens
September 9, 2009
Womens Soccer Postponed
September 5, 2009
Lander Holds Off Trojans
September 4, 2009
USC Aiken Slips Past Trojans in Home Opener
September 3, 2009
Womens Soccer Match Postponed
August 29, 2009
Womens Soccer Suffers Heartbreaker at Brevard
August 21, 2009
Womens Soccer Predicted to Finish Eighth