AIKEN, S.C. – Home-standing USC Aiken scored four times in the opening half and never looked back as the Pacers picked up a key Peach Belt Conference victory with a 5-1 triumph over the UNC Pembroke men's soccer team on Wednesday evening at Pacer Pit.
 
The Braves (5-9-0, 3-5-0 PBC) rolled into Aiken on Wednesday looking to lock up one of the final two spots for next week's Peach Belt Conference Tournament, but instead saw their security diminish a bit. USC Aiken (3-12-0, 2-6-0) climbed within a game of the Black & Gold in the league standings, as did Clayton State (4-12-0, 2-6-0) who posted a clutch victory at North Georgia on Wednesday.
 
Izzy Evans and Jordan Walshaw both registered a game-best four shots for the visitors, but Ruben Taks managed the only goal for the Braves – a 70^th minute strike that capped the scoring on the night for both teams. Lucas Gusmao tacked up four saves, but allowed all five goals before giving way to Trenton Spigener in the 64^th minute. Spigener tallied one save in 27 minutes between the pipes.
 
Jordan Misiri found the back of the net twice and also grabbed an assist for the Pacers who got goals from four different players in the victory.
 
Misiri gave the Pacers a lead they would not relinquish in the 7^th minute, but Adria Dalmau padded the lead out to 2-0 just more than two minutes later. The Pacers added another score in the 29^th minute, before Misiri struck again in the 35^th minute to give the hosts a 4-0 lead heading into intermission.
 
The Braves will close out regular season play on Saturday when they make the trip to northwest Georgia to take on Young Harris (8-6-0, 5-3-0) at the YHC Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.