AIKEN, S.C. – Dropping two heartbreakers at home, The Wolves traveled to Aiken, S.C. for their first away matchup against the Pacers of USC-Aiken in hopes of getting that elusive first win of the season, and they were able to do just that, securing a 1-0 victory.

Kicking off the action, the Pacers looked to get on the board first, attempting their first shot within the first four minutes of the match. The pressure would then start to build for the Wolves, as the Pacers would then go on and attempt two more shots in the next 12 minutes. Jorge Castilla would then register the first shot on goal after the 21 minute, but the first disciplinary action of the match would commence with a yellow card for Henok Awoke after the 22 minute. 

Play would go on until a series of yellow cards in the next eight minutes would break up play in between. Following a card by the Pacers, Reese Kilpin and Ethan Orozco both would be disciplined by the referee. A second yellow by USC-Aiken would then take the match into halftime with the score still deadlocked at zero. 

Going into the second half, the Wolves could sense that it was anyone's match at that point, so they looked to come out of the gates fast to put the pressure on the Pacers. The pressure would end up getting to them as the Wolves were then able to capitalize on a Ferran Macian cross and secure their first goal of the match from Uriel Zarracan after the 48th minute. 

Now with the lead and time on their side, Newberry looked to control the game and see the clock out. USC-Aiken would have other plans as they turned up the effort in hopes of tying, sending a shot a minute after the goal would be scored by Zarracan. The Wolves, never satisfied, would then respond with a shot of their own, leading to a back and forth battle up until the 81 minute. A yellow card is then given to USC-Aiken with the home stretch in sight. A second yellow in as many minutes would be given again, but the Wolves held firm and were able to close out the match.

The victory marks the first win of the season for the Wolves, and it also marks the first win of the Justin Cook era as head coach. 

The Wolves will get the weekend off, but they will be back in action at home against Mars Hill in the first SAC Conference matchup of the season at Smith Road Complex on September 7 at 7 PM, followed by their SAC matchup on September 10 against Catawba at 7 PM.