HARROGATE, Tenn. – Palisa Chipendo scored in the 82nd minute to lift the Lady Railsplitters (3-0) to a 2-1 win over the USC Aiken Pacers (2-3) in the LMU Soccer Complex opener on Friday afternoon. With the win, Lincoln Memorial moves to 3-0 for the first time since the 2011 season.
Chipendo's first career game-winning goal and second career tally for the Lady Railsplitters came less than a minute after the Pacers drew the match back level on a goal by Marissa Lee. The senior forward corralled the ball just outside the box, dribbled around a defender and lofted a perfectly-placed strike over the opposing keeper to help Lincoln Memorial escape with a victory.
That goal redeemed an otherwise forgettable afternoon for the Lady Railsplitters, who were outshot 17-10, including 12-4 in the second half, committed 13 fouls and drew two offside calls.
Lincoln Memorial had the lead for more than 48 minutes before USC Aiken tied the game, as junior defender
Caroline Temple scored her first career goal on just her fourth career shot attempt. Temple recovered the ball amidst a scramble following a corner kick and booted a left-footed kick past the Pacer keeper to give the Lady Railsplitters a 1-0 lead.
Junior goalkeeper
Brooke Taylor earned her third win of the season, showing poise and composure in the face of USC Aiken's 17 shot attempts. Taylor made four saves and allowed just her second goal of the season.
Caroline Souza was kept out of the scoring column for the first time in three appearances this season, but still produced a game-high three shots. Temple and Chipendo also tallied multiple shots with two apiece.
Seven different players had multiple shot attempts for the Pacers.
Quick Hits
- For just the fourth time this century, the Lady Railsplitters have started their season with three consecutive wins, joining the 2011, 2010 and 2004 teams.
- Lincoln Memorial drove its season goal total to eight, just four away from matching the team's effort from the entire 2016 campaign. The Lady Railsplitters have also scored multiple goals in three straight matches for the first time since 2013.
- Karin Cadwalader was saddled with the loss for USC Aiken after allowing two goals and making two saves over 90 minutes of work.
- The Lady Railsplitters improved to 5-1 all-time against USC Aiken with the victory. Friday marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2013.
Up Next
The Lady Railsplitters will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming the Young Harris Mountain Lions to the LMU Soccer Complex for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Live stats and video will be available at www.LMURailsplitters.com.
