About 13 minutes into Wednesday's soccer game at Scotland County, Pinecrest midfielder Kate Hieronymus shed a defender near midfield. The freshman then pierced the Scot defensive third of the field with a ball on the ground.

Thirty yards away, teammate Jill McIlwain timed her break from the Scot offside line perfectly, and ran on to the gorgeously played ball before sending a low shot into the net.

"I just looked up and it was there," Hieronymus said of the offensive opportunity.

Pinecrest went to take a 4-0 lead in its first serious conference test of the season before the Scots got on the board. McIlwain, Morgan Maples and Latanya Cain each scored two goals in the 6-2 victory.

The Patriots improved to 3-1-1 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Southeastern Conference. The Scots fell to 5-1 and 1-1.

On a night featuring well-delivered balls that produced goals, Claire Epling and Sarah White sent crosses into the Scot penalty area in the first half that Maples and Cain put away. One of the offensive highlights of the second half was a corner kick by Lyndsey Anderson that Maples finished at the far post.

McIlwain's second goal that completed the scoring came off a wicked shot after a short pass from Cain.

Scotland's two second half goals were scored by Caroline Sexton and the dangerous Megan Brigman, who is nearing the 90 mark for her Scot career.

"We came on strong at the beginning, and that's what we've been working on," White said, referring to early deficits that contributed to the loss at Hoggard and tie at Lumberton. "This was definitely a big win for us."

What satisfied Pinecrest coach Larry Martin the most about the match was the improvement he saw in his team's defense.

"Offensively, I know we can pass the ball, and I know we have people that can put the ball in the goal," he said. "And they did a great job of that tonight.

"But I was most pleased with our defense because that's what will make a difference in our season. Rebecca Dupre played awesome defense against Megan Brigman, and they had a couple of other players with good speed that were dangerous."

Patrolling the Patriot defensive half most of the evening were Dupre, White, Bailey Pages and Caitlin McArdle. Sarah Dejak and Keely Harbour shared the goalkeeping.

Pinecrest entertains Terry Sanford on Friday night in an attractive non-conference match that is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.