Box Score SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse (1-6, 0-4 CC) soccer team put together a valiant effort, but came up just short, dropping a 2-1 decision to Erskine College (4-3, 3-1 CC) on Tuesday evening at Fulp Field. Aidyn Cantor tallied her first score of the season to give the Valkyries an early lead, but Erskine recorded two unanswered down the stretch to earn the conference win.
The early portion of the contest was a defensive battle as neither team could gain an offensive advantage over the other. Erskine made the first push for a goal 15 minutes into the contest, but the Valkyrie defense withstood the test and kept the Fleet out of goal.
Cassidy Marshall earned herself an opportunity to put Converse ahead in the 41st minute after juking the defender, but her strike was a bit wide and left the game scoreless heading into halftime.
The Flying Fleet held an 8-2 advantage on shots over the first 45 minutes and a 3-1 spread on corner kicks. Darian Bankston reeled in three saves for the Vals.
After a 12-plus minute stalemate to begin the second half Aidyn Cantor put the Valkyries ahead with her first score of the season at the 58 minute mark. Cantor stole the ball from the defender and raced past the Fleet backline, blasting the rock past the keeper. However, that lead did not last long as Erskine tallied the equalizer on a penalty kick just three minutes later.
Gabby Valdez put Erskine in front for the first time in the 73rd minute when she connected on an unassisted goal. Despite a gutsy effort by the Valkyries down the stretch, Erskine held on to the one goal lead, winning by that same score.
The Valkyries will be back in action on Saturday, September 29 as they travel to Franklin Springs, Ga. to take on Emmanuel. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
