ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team dropped a hard-fought battle Sunday afternoon 2-1 to the College of Charleston Cougars at Eagle Field in the team's non-conference finale.

HOW IT HAPPENED
College of Charleston (5-3) had a number of opportunities in the first 45 minutes and got a little luck to get on the scoreboard.  Off a free kick, an attempt to head the ball away came off the side of a Winthrop defender's head and into the back of the net for an own goal.  The Cougars held a 1-0 lead the break.

Winthrop (4-2-1) had a flurry of opportunities in the 56^th minute but the Cougar goalkeeper came up with three big saves.  The Eagles were able to break through in the 69^th minute off a header from Natalie Royaards.  Allie Thomas set the play up, dribbling the ball to the end line and place a cross in front of the goal that Royaards headed to her right.

The Cougars grabbed the game-winning goal in the 75^th minute.  Talia Colchico caught Winthrop's goalie Kelly Horan off guard with a looping shot from 25 yards out that beat the outstretched arm of Horan into the right side of the goal.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
College of Charleston dominated the shot charts, outshooting the Eagles 21-7.  The Cougars put nine of their shots on goal while Winthrop put five on frame.  Royaards led the Eagles with two shots while five others recorded one shot.  Horan finished with seven saves in goal.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
Winthrop will have the middle of the week off before entering conference play on the road at Presbyterian Saturday, September 15 with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.