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Valkyries Dealt Tough Loss Versus King

Valkyries Dealt Tough Loss Versus King

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College (0-4, 0-2 CC) soccer team was dealt a heartbreaking loss at the hands of King University (2-2, 1-1 CC) on Saturday, September 21. A penalty kick in the 66th minute of action was the lone score as King took the 1-0 Conference Carolinas win. 

Score: King 1, Converse 0
Records: King (2-2, 1-1 CC), Converse (0-4, 0-2 CC)
Location: Hayden Abney Fulp Field, Converse College, Spartanburg, S.C. 


  • Anna Claire Albritton led the Valkyries with four shots, while Stephanie Cumez-Ortiz and Shan Muench posted a pair of shots each.
  • Darian Bankston played all 90 minutes in goal, allowing just one goal while collecting four saves.
  • Converse held a 13-8 margin on shots. 


First Half

The majority of the first half was a defensive battle as each team tried to gain some sort of offensive momentum. Converse finally got a chance in the 24th minute but Gianna Mancinelli's shot was corralled by the Tornado keeper, leaving the contest scoreless. 

Converse's best chance came right before the half as Stephanie Cumez-Ortiz collected a ball just inside the box and blasted the rock with her right foot. However, her strike missed just to the left of the cage, sending the game into the halftime break knotted at 0-0. 

Second Half

King almost caught a huge break in the 59th minute after Tyler Feaster's shot trickled under the hands of Bankston, but she was able to recover and keep the ball from crossing the goal line. However, the Tornado finally broke through in the 66th minute. Following a foul in the box, McKenzie Clarke stepped up and placed the penalty kick in the top-right corner of the cage for the games' first goal. 

Converse had two chances for an equalizer minutes later, but Kayla Noon's shot was scooped by the Tornado keeper and Cumez-Ortiz's blast sailed just high of the crossbar. Unfortunately, that was the last real opportunity would get as it fell by the score of 1-0. 


After a two-day home stand, the Valkyries hit the road for a Conference Carolinas showdown with the Barton Bulldogs on Tuesday, September 24. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Wilson, N.C.