by Anthea Walker, sports information student

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. —  The Georgia College Soccer team (1-4) fell short Thursday 3-1 while hosting USC Aiken (1-1) at the Baldwin Rec Department Complex.

The Bobcats fell behind by one goal in the first half; trailing the Pacers by 1-0. USCA's Gressa Olson took a pass from Harley King and fired home to the left side for the score in the 38th minute. 

The Pacers scored again on the Bobcats in the 47th minute, Erika Bateman found Charlotte Manella off a free kick from near midfield. Manella found the back of the net for the 2-0 advantage, but it wouldn't last long. 

Around nine minutes later senior Cassie Balzano (Douglasville) scored for the Bobcats, unassisted. She took an attempted clear from the Pacers and knocked it home for her third goal this season. 

The Pacers pushed it out of reach in the 84th minute, leaving the Bobcats trailing by two. Willa Olson scored her second goal of the season for USCA by putting away a loose ball in front. 

Georgia College picked up the pace and intensity in the second half, out-shooting the Pacers 13-4, but it wasn't enough. USC Aiken goalkeeper Georgia Martell made all five of her saves in the second half. 

With the goal, Balzano pulled even with Ashley Veilleux (2014) for third in career goals scored at Georgia College with 23. 

The Bobcats are back in action Thursday, March 18 at 4 p.m., hosting Georgia Southwestern State University. The location for next week's contest is unclear at this time, stay tuned to GCBobcats.com for more details when they arise.

The Georgia College Department of Athletics is proud to receive the 2020 NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence. The two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner Cup and the former PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, GC Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on Graduating Champions For Life. Sign up at @GCBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.