Box Score SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College (2-10, 1-7 CC) soccer team had many opportunities, but were only able to post one goal in a 5-1 loss to Southern Wesleyan (5-7, 3-5 CC) on Friday evening on Hayden Abney Fulp Field. The Warriors used a 3-0 second half to pick up the crucial conference win.
Converse put the pressure on SWU early in the contests, putting six of its first seven shots on goal, but were unable to break through on the scoreboard. Rachel Curtis put the Warriors ahead with a score in the 17th minute after making a move on a Valkyrie defender and scoring top right of the goal.
The next 20 minutes of game time was a defensive battle as neither team could capitalize on the other. However, Anna Claire Albritton knotted the contest at 1-1 in the 35th minute. Following a misplayed ball by the SWU keeper, Albritton cleaned up the ball in front of the net and pushed it into the lower left corner of the goal to even the score.
It appeared the game would head into the intermission tied, but Ashley Romanowski gave Southern Wesleyan the lead back with less than a minute remaining in the half, sending SWU to the locker room with a 2-1 lead.
The second half started much like the first with the Purple and Gold putting massive amounts of pressure on SWU's back line. Unfortunately, the Valkyries missed on several close range shots and remained down 2-1 halfway through the second period.
Joy Namyst padded the lead for Southern Wesleyan in the 78th minute and Rachel Curtis tacked on another score two minutes later to push the advantage out to 4-1. A late goal by Romanowski in the 86th minute gave the Warriors the decisive 5-1 win over Converse.
Hallie Lycans led the way for the Valkyries, who outshot SWU 21-14, with five shots, while Albritton and Melissa Carlyle added four shots each. Darian Bankston went the distance in goal, allowing five goals and collecting six saves.
Converse will be back in action on Monday, October 15 as it welcomes Barton to Hayden Abney Fulp Field. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.
