MORROW, Ga. – A day after falling to Clayton State University, the King University men's soccer team tried to rebound against USC Aiken in the finale of the Loch Shop Shootout hosted by Clayton State. However, the Pacers tallied goals late in each half to hand the Tornado their second loss in as many days, 2-0.

The Pacers (1-1) had a couple corners in the early going, but King (0-2) earned the first chance to score when Oli Hall ripped a shot that was saved by USC Aiken goalkeeper Joshua Poissant in the 16th minute. Hallgrimur Johannsson put another shot on goal in the 24th minute, but it was again saved.

The Tornado then had back-to-back corner kicks in the 32nd and 33rd minutes before play moved to the other end of the field. In the 34th minute, USC Aiken broke through when Jordan Misiri took a pass from Gabriel Locher and ripped into the back of the net to put the Pacers ahead.

The score remained the same at halftime, and the Pacers began to pressure the Tornado in the second half. In the first six minutes of the second frame, USC Aiken ripped three shots, two on goal that were saved by Kari Sveinsson along with a corner kick.

King had a pair of opportunities in the 57th and 59th minutes as Faber Bickerstaffehad a shot go wide and Eli Carrasco had an attempt turned away.

The Pacers came close to extending the lead in the 72nd minute when Dean Smith hit the crossbar. USC Aiken did break through again in the 85th minute with an insurance goal as Nathan Shanko found the back of the net to give the Pacers the 2-0 win.

USC Aiken outshot King 14-9, including 11-5 in the second half. Sveinsson kept the Tornado close, making four saves in the loss. Carrasco led the offense with three shots, putting two on frame.

King will be in action again on Wednesday night when they travel to take on Tusculum College. Kickoff from Greeneville is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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