Box Score
by Kevin Buczek
SPARTANBURG, S.C.-Junior midfielder Taylor DeMartini furnished Barton College with an early lead scoring her first collegiate goal before Converse College was able to rally for the 3-1 Conference Carolinas victory on Saturday night.
The Valkyries scored a pair of goals in the last 15 minutes to break a late 1-1 tie and escape with the win. Converse improved to 2-4-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the conference. The Lady Bulldogs dipped to 1-4 and 0-3.
Barton struck first in the 19th minute just after freshman Lindsay Rembecki took a corner kick. Converse goalie Gabriella Chamberland attempted to make a save on an ensuing shot taken by freshman Emily Futral but was unable to make the play and DeMartini was in position to score the opening goal.
Futral picked up her third assist of the season on DeMartini's first collegiate marker.
A foul a few moments later allowed the Valkyries to tie up the contest on a penalty kick goal by Natalie Johnson.
Barton held the lead for just 34 seconds.
The contest remained deadlock through halftime and late into regulation before Darby Boyd put the Valkyries ahead for good in the 76th minute. Boyd stole the ball and scored the unassisted game winner on a breakaway. Olivia Grose netted an insurance goal for Converse in the 82nd minute on a pass from Georgia Jones.
The Lady Bulldogs had several good opportunities including seven shots off the boot of junior Taylor Parrish, who hit the post in the 25th minute and then had four other attempts saved by Chamberland. Barton took four consecutive shots in the second half in a four-minute rush but all four attempts finished off frame.
Converse had a 27-17 shot advantage but sophomore netminder Carson Moore kept the Royal Blue and White in the contest with a game-high 14 saves.
Barton will have a week to prepare for its next opponent, when the Lady Bulldogs entertain Conference Carolinas foe North Greenville University on Saturday at 5 p.m. during Barton College's Family Weekend.
