CENTRAL, S.C. – The Converse College (3-7-2, 2-5-1 CC) fell to Southern Wesleyan (7-4, 3-3 CC) University on Saturday evening. The Warriors used three second-half goals to down the Valkyries in a crucial Conference Carolinas matchup.
Converse held a wide margin in shots (23-10), while also leading in corner kicks (5-3). Nicole Doolittle led the Valkyries with six shots, including three shots on goal. Melissa Carlyle and Hallie Lycans pitched in with four and three shots, respectively.
The first half was a defensive battle as neither team could gain an offensive advantage over the other. However, the attack of Lycans and Doolittle near the end of the first half put pressure on the Warriors keeper, but Converse was unable to push ahead on the scoreboard and the two teams went into halftime scoreless.
That changed just 12 minutes into the second frame. SWU's Marla Burgos earned a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. The ensuing kick gave Southern Wesleyan the 1-0 lead. Just over 10 minutes later SWU added a goal to its lead when Emily Corriher put one in the back of the net.
Once again Converse had multiple opportunities to cut in the lead, but just could not carry out any rhythm on the offensive side of the pitch. SWU added a goal for good measure in the 81st minute of action and that score soon became the final.
Darian Bankston was tagged with the loss after allowing three goals and tallying two saves in her 90 minutes of action. Courtney McNeill earned the win after not allowing a goal and grabbing seven saves.
Converse will be back in action on Wednesday, October 11 as it returns home to face off against Georgia College. That contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.