SPARTANBURG — The Newberry College Wolves’ women’s soccer team battled wind, rain and unseasonably cool temperatures but could not hold onto a halftime lead, dropping a 3-2 overtime loss to the Tusculum College Pioneers at the Upward Star Center on Friday evening.

The Wolves fall to 1-6-2 overall and 1-4-0 in the South Atlantic Conference, while Tusculum is now 4-5-1 overall and 1-3-1 in the league.

Newberry took the lead in the 20th minute, when Sara Silvestro poked in a ball at the back post off of a hard low cross by Michelle Calmeyn. The goal was Silvestro’s first of the season.

The Wolves extended their lead to 2-0 in the 41st minute when Calmeyn curled a shot to the left post from 15 yards out on a cross from Morgan Powers.

Newberry’s shots were few but quality, getting only three shots off in the opening half to the Pioneers’ 10. Rebecca Darley made seven saves in the half.

Tusculum cut the lead in half just four minutes into the second half, when Carlie Thornber rocketed a shot into the upper 90 from 25 yards out, making it 2-1 in the 49th minute.

Darley preserved the lead in the 59th minute, making a leaping save on a missile by TC’s Carly Mill.

Weather conditions worsened in the second half, giving the Pioneers a distinct advantage with the wind at their back. The Pioneers out-shot Newberry by a 15-0 margin in the second half.

Tusculum was awarded a controversial penalty kick in the 84th minute, which was converted by Katja Andersson to tie the game at 2-all.

Tusculum kept the wind at their back in the overtime period and took advantage on Taylore Lewis’ breakaway goal to win the game in the 94th minute.

This release provided by Newberry College.