ROCK HILL, S.C. — South Carolina State showed increased offensive pressure after halftime and received another strong performance in goal from
Jada Gittings, but Winthrop pulled away late for a 3-0 victory Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field.
The Lady Bulldogs (0-8-1) entered halftime trailing just 1-0 and remained within one goal until the final eight minutes. Winthrop improved to 3-5-1 with the victory.
Winthrop's Monssi Avila-Gutierrez accounted for all three goals. She opened the scoring in the ninth minute off an assist from Amalie Steen, giving the Eagles a 1-0 advantage, they carried into halftime. South Carolina State's defense and Gittings kept the Bulldogs within striking distance despite Winthrop producing nine first-half shots. Gittings made six saves in the opening 45 minutes.
South Carolina State came out more aggressive offensively in the second half. Aaliyah Silver put an attempt on goal in the 49th minute, forcing a save from Winthrop goalkeeper Mia Ruffalo.
Victoria Coleman followed with a blocked attempt in the 55th minute before Ayla Tindall placed another shot on target moments later.
The Lady Bulldogs continued creating opportunities as Silver sent another attempt wide in the 64th minute and Tindall had a shot blocked in the 70th. SC State generated five of its seven total shots after halftime after recording two in the opening period.
The one-goal margin held until the 83rd minute, when Avila-Gutierrez converted a penalty kick to make it 2-0. She completed the hat trick in the 88th minute off an assist from Cameron Celce for the final margin.
Gittings remained active throughout the afternoon and finished with
nine saves in 90 minutes, facing 20 Winthrop shots, including 12 on goal. SC State finished with seven shots and two on target while maintaining
49% possession, compared with Winthrop's 51%.
Silver and Tindall led the Lady Bulldogs with two shots apiece and one shot on goal each, while
Victoria Coleman added two attempts.
Denive Guy-Williams also recorded a shot for SC State.
Despite the final score, South Carolina State's second-half performance provided a positive takeaway as the Lady Bulldogs increased their attacking pressure and stayed within one goal for more than 80 minutes before Winthrop's two late scores decided the contest.
