GREENWOOD, S.C. – Top-seeded and 18th-ranked Lander lugged a 1-0 lead into the halftime break, but scored a trio of second half goals to pull away and key a 4-0 win over the eighth-seeded UNC Pembroke men's soccer team in the quarterfinal round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening at Van Taylor Stadium.

The setback snapped the lid on the 2016 season for the Braves (5-11-0) who will bid a fond adieu to a trio of seniors, but return relatively intact for the 2017 campaign. It was the 12th-straight victory for the Bearcats (13-3-0) who advance to Friday's semifinal round in Evans, Ga., where they will face fifth-seeded Flagler (7-8-1).

Jordan Walshaw registered a team-best six shots (2 on goal) for UNCP, with Josh Hanratty and Cristian Uribe both managing a look on goal as well. Goalkeeper Lucas Gusmao tallied four saves on defense for the visitors as well. Sam Lofts found the net twice for the Bearcats, while George Knight turned in both a goal and an assist.

The Braves had a pair of quality chances to take the game's first lead, including one courtesy of near-crucial mistake by Bearcats netminder Dean Crowdroy. Looking to get a headstart on a potential transition opportunity, Cowdroy was caught way outside of the penalty box and Walshaw won the race to a loose ball, but a skip shot by the UNCP junior sailed about two feet wide of the left post to keep the game at a scoreless standstill.

But, the bounces went the Bearcats' way on the night. Lofts got his team off the mark with a 34th minute goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into intermission. Knight made it a two-goal game in the 62nd minute, and Lofts connected on his second goal of the game to make it 3-0 with 15:25 to play. Michael Leach capped the scoring on the night with an 82nd-minute goal.

Walshaw, again, had a chance to put the Black & Gold on the board with an 88th-minute penalty kick, but his attempt was barely pushed away by Cowdroy, and the rebound shot by the Englishman sailed high.