Moscoso’s Last-Second Free Kick Lifts Pioneers Past Johnson, 3-2

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A win for the ages. With just 1.4 seconds left, Spartanburg Methodist College junior Camila Moscoso converted a free kick after a Johnson University foul. The Bogotá, Colombia, native sent her shot high and beyond the outstretched arms of the Royals goalkeeper for the game-winning goal as the Pioneers defeated Johnson, 3-2, on Wednesday afternoon.

SMC had tied the game in the 79th minute when Caroline Taylor netted her second goal of the season, erasing a 2-1 deficit and setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Johnson (2-6, 1-4 AAC) rallied from an early 1-0 hole as Annabel Reiche scored twice—once in the 52nd minute and again in the 63rd—to give the Royals a 2-1 advantage. Reiche nearly completed the hat trick late, forcing SMC goalkeeper Ava Wilson into a clutch save in the 86th minute before striking the crossbar in the 88th.

With the match hanging in the balance, the Pioneers surged forward in the closing seconds. A Royals foul disrupted the attack, giving Moscoso the opportunity to deliver the game-winner and ignite an eruption from the SMC bench.

Next, the Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, when they host Pikeville at noon as part of Youth Day at Nash Soccer Field.