Photo Credit: John Innis
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Freshman forward Ashley Royster scored her first-career goal, however, it wasn't enough as the Brevard College Tornados Women's Soccer team (0-1-1) conceded two second-half goals in a Wednesday evening defeat to the Piedmont International Bruins (2-0-1), 3-1, at the BB&T Sports Park in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Royster led the attacking effort for the Tornados, firing five total shots-on-goal, while one found the back of the net. The Mooresville, N.C. native was played in with a pass from sophomore Abbie Petrosky and drove home the shot for her first collegiate goal.
Petrosky added four shots as the Tornados were able to outshoot the Bruins 15-12 on the evening, including a slim 8-7 advantage in shots-on-target.
Junior goalkeeper Rebeccah Rojas (0-1-1) earned the start in goal for the Tornados, saving four of seven total shots faced.
Piedmont International goalkeeper Ericka Washburn conceded a goal to Royster in the first half, but held firm the rest of the way, shutting out the Tornado attack in the second stanza to earn the victory.
The Bruins struck first in the 10th minute, as forward Cierra Josey was serviced the ball from Kelsie Simpson and finished the effort to give Piedmont International the early edge, 1-0.
Following the Bruin opening goal, the Tornados fired four shots off, including a Petrosky attempt that hit the crossbar. Royster forced a save in the 27th minute before nailing her first collegiate goal in the 34th minute, knotting the contest up, 1-1.
Both teams traded shots through the first portion of the second half, as BC let four shots fly to PIU's three. However, the game's deciding goal came in the 62nd minute when Bruins defender Savannah Placie put in a corner kick from Ashli Mincey, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.
Royster fired another pair of shots following the PIU score, but both attempts were stifled by Washburn to keep the score steady at 2-1.
PIU's Simpson rounded out her three-point night in the 78th minute, scoring an unassisted goal to sure up the Bruin lead, 3-1.
The Tornados managed three more shots in the last 10 minutes from Aliyah Vaughan, Amy Juarez, and Brianna Link, but none could find the back of the net as the Bruins wrapped up their 3-1 victory over the Tornados.
Due to the potential effects of Hurricane Dorian on the coast of North Carolina, BC's next contest, originally scheduled versus the Methodist University Monarchs in Fayetteville, N.C., has been canceled, with no makeup date planned.
Any further schedule updates/alterations will be communicated on the Brevard College Tornados Athletics social media channels and on bctornados.com.
Next up on the schedule for Brevard Women's Soccer is a trip to Allen University on Tuesday, September 10 for a midweek battle at 7 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados'' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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