CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Fighting Camels (6-5-0, 1-1 Big South) dropped their first Big South road contest to the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (6-4-0, 2-0 Big South) Wednesday evening at the CSU Soccer Field, 3-1.

Campbell scored its lone goal early on in the match as senior defender Allie Hopkins connected on a free kick, giving the Camels a 1-0 advantage. CU midfielder Payton Ormsby was aggressive on the attack for the Camels, notching a game-high six shot attempts, three of which were on frame. Reigning Big South Freshman of the Week Alexa Genas had three shots on goal on three shot attempts.

For the Buccaneers, forwards Jordan Newman and Anna Sells tallied scores in the first half to give CSU a 2-1 lead at the break. Newman added a second goal in the second period to give the Bucs their third goal of the match. The Camels saw plenty of opportunities to score as they outshot the Buccaneers, 18-12, including 10 shots on goal, but could only connect on one of those chances.

"We definitely created a lot of chances today, but we weren't dangerous," said head coach Stuart Horne. "We have to value every opportunity that we get in front of goal and at the very least put their goalkeeper in a situation to make a difficult play. We didn't do that today. We have proven that we have the capability, but we need that every game."

In the first half, the Camels took an early 1-0 advantage on the Hopkins goal in the 12th minute of play. She took a free kick from 30 yards out and was able to put the ball over the head of the Buccaneer keeper, good for her second career goal. CSU answered quickly, connecting on an unassisted goal from Buccaneer forward Jordan Newman to tie the match, 1-1, in the 16th minute. With the game clock winding down, CSU forward Anna Sells increased the Bucs' lead with a goal late in the half to make it 2-1 heading into the break. It was her Big South-leading sixth goal of the season.

Trailing 2-1 at the half, the Camels came out attacking. CU had close chances to tie the match from Kelly Ann Evans, Ormsby and Kine Thorsvik but could not find the back of the net. In the 74th minute of play, CSU widened their lead on Newman's second goal of the match on a cross from Buccaneer sophomore Lydia Frierson, giving CSU a 3-1 lead that would hold for the rest of the match.

"We have a resilient group and we know that we can't dwell on this loss," Horne said. "It is what it is, and we'll learn from our mistakes and make the necessary adjustments and move on. You can't dwell on your last game in this conference or you'll get way behind. Win or lose, it's the Cinderella rule and we get ready for the next game." 

Up next, the Fighting Camels will travel to Asheville, N.C. to take on the UNC Asheville Bulldogs at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. For the most up-to-date information on Campbell women's soccer, follow @GoCamelsWSOC on Twitter.