HARTSVILLE, S.C. --- Three second-half goals propelled Tusculum University to a 3-1 win over Coker University in South Atlantic Conference women's soccer action Saturday afternoon.
Bailey Bylotas, Myah Giordullo and Yvette Raaijen scored for the Pioneers (2-5-0, 2-1-0 SAC) in the second half, helping Tusculum overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit to earn its second straight victory. The Cobras (0-2-2, 0-2-0 SAC) dropped their 31st straight SAC match after taking an early lead on a goal from Catrionna Manning.
Tusculum outshot Coker 19-6 in the match, including an 11-2 edge in the second half. Emma Harriman earned the win by making one save for the Pioneers, while Sarah Swaim had six saves for Coker.
Coker grabbed the lead just 3:18 into the first half as Gabby Sturla passed to Manning at the top of the box, whose shot got past Harriman from 20 yards out.
Tusculum's first chances came back-to-back in the eighth minute, as Kenzie Ellenburg broke down the right side and took a shot that Swaim blocked. Ellenburg got the rebound and had another shot, but Swaim smothered the attempt.
The Pioneers had two opportunities for the tie, but an offsides flag negated a goal in the 15th minute and Julianne Fox rang a shot off far post from distance in the 16th minute. Ellenburg had a great look from the top of the box in the 24th minute, but her shot was just wide of the post.
Each team had chances in the final three minutes of the half, but Swaim had a save on a rolling shot from the Pioneers' Joey Garrett and Harriman made what would be her only save of the afternoon as she knocked down a shot from Shannon Felker with just under two minutes to play in the half.
In the second half, the Pioneers got the equalizer at 52:42 as Brianna Garcia carried down the left side to the goal line, then crossed to Bylotas at the far post for her second goal of the season.
Ellenburg, who had eight shots in the match, nearly gave the Pioneers the lead in the 55th minute but her header off a Kaitlyn Watson corner kick grazed the near post as it went wide. Ellenburg also went just wide of the post off a Watson corner in the 61st minute.
Tusculum went ahead 2-1 in the 63rd minute off another corner kick. Watson's service was punched out by Swaim and collected by Giordullo, whose volley from 15 yards went off the far post and in for her first career goal.
The Pioneers kept up the attack and nearly went up two goals in the 67th minute, but a shot toward the near post down the left side by Kate Benne was directed wide on a dive by Swaim.
Watson drew a penalty kick for the Pioneers in the 72nd minute as she was taken down just inside the box while cutting toward the goal. Raaijen stepped up to take the penalty and sent it past a stationary Swaim for her sixth goal in six career attempts and a 3-1 Tusculum lead.
Tusculum had one more shot on goal, as Ellenburg's try from 25 yards in the 75th minute was collected by Swaim. Coker had just one final shot attempt with just under two minutes to play, but Sturla's attempt from the right wing sailed over the crossbar.
The Pioneers finished with a 9-3 edge in corner kicks over the Cobras, including 6-2 in the second half. Tusculum was whistled for eight fouls to five for Coker.
Tusculum will look for its third straight win when the Pioneers visit Carson-Newman on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
