Final Box (pdf)
CONWAY – The Coastal Carolina University women's soccer team played perennial Sun Belt power South Alabama right down to the wire but it was a late penalty kick by the Jaguars that gave the visitors a hard-fought 4-3 win.
It was a back-and-forth affair with USA scoring and CCU answering right back. The game was even at one at the end of the opening half as Gracie Wilson scored off a pass from Kailey Littleford in the 21st minute to put the visitors up 1-0.
It took nearly the whole first half, but the Chants scored with less than a minute remaining before the halftime horn on a Mackenzie Gibbs unassisted goal.
It took less than two minutes into the second half for USA to take a 2-1 lead off a Morgan Cross goal. Athanasia Mraitou had the assist.
Once again CCU answered with a goal in the 65th minute when Casey O'Connor found Lauren Denning to even the score at two.
Ana Helmert and Brenna McPartian teamed up to give USA a 3-2 lead in the 74th minute, only to see Carleigh Frilles even the score in the 77th minute on an unassisted goal for the Chants.
Finally, USA was able to put the game away when CCU was called for a foul in the box with just over five minutes left in the match. McPartian hit the penalty kick for the final 4-3 score.
The Chants (1-1) will continue their early-season home weekend when they host Troy Sunday, September 27 at 1 p.m. ET.
For complete coverage of CCU women's soccer, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWSoccer (twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.
