HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Lincoln Memorial University women's soccer team won the inaugural match at the LMU Turf Complex Saturday afternoon, beginning the South Atlantic Conference regular season two-for-two after a dominant display over the Cobras of Coker.
 
The SAC offensive star of the young season was yet again involved all over the pitch Saturday, as senior Rachel Taylor notched her fifth goal of the campaign, in addition to her fourth and fifth assist. Fellow senior Jessica Cravero provided her first assist of the 2021 fall slate and tallied her fifth finish in five appearances, matching the scorching pace of Rachel Taylor for joint-top scorer of the Lady Railsplitters.
 
Senior midfielder Graciela Palencia was on the scoresheet as well Saturday afternoon for the first time this season, scoring her first goal since September 24, 2019, against Shaw.
 
"Another solid performance from the group. Not a complete game regarding the goals we could have scored, but we controlled the match and created numerous chances. Another strong defensive effort that produced a shutout," head coach Matt Carr said. "We now look to a solid week of preparation for a tough Newberry game on Saturday."
 
The Lady Railsplitters achieved a season-low, conceding just two total shots during Saturday's affair with the Cobras, matching the mark they set against Bluefield State in the season opener. Coker did not record a single shot on target, as both shots came in the first half.
 
LMU has now recorded three-successive clean sheets, and four total in five appearances. The Lady Railsplitters remain undefeated this fall, and extended their unbeaten streak under Matt Carr to 11 regular season matches.
 
Despite the Blue & Grey's relentless pressure and 12 shots in the first half, the Cobras kept LMU at bay, sending the match to nil-nil after 45 minutes.
 
Coker was unable to keep the Lady Railsplitters from goal much longer, conceding within four minutes in Saturday's second half. None other than senior Rachel Taylor found the back of the net, after a terrific run into the box, followed by a genius threaded pass from Graciela Palencia, as Taylor tucked her fifth finish of the season in the near post.
 
Palencia's efforts were rewarded no less than a minute-and-a-half later, passing the ball into the corner off the net via an un-selfish look from Rachel Taylor.
 
The Lady Railsplitters wrapped up their second-successive 3-nil victory with a finish from Jessica Cravero. Taylor swung in a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, where Cravero pouched the game's final goal. Taylor and Cravero have now equaled their junior campaign record of five goals in the shortened spring season, in just five total matches this fall.
 
Up Next
 
The Lady Railsplitters face their first conference matchup on the road next Saturday taking on Newberry College. Kickoff is slated  for 6 p.m. EST.

How to Follow
 
Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Lady Railsplitter soccer across the 2021 season.