Hickory, NC – The Lincoln Memorial women's soccer team fell to the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears Saturday afternoon 1-3.

The Railsplitters were quick to put a goal on the scoreboard, as LMU's first scoring opportunity in the 4^th minute resulted in a goal; Viktoria Filsner placed a free kick right into Donna van der Zalm's path for her to head the ball across the goal into the left side of the net to give Lincoln Memorial the quick lead 1-0. Shortly after the goal in the 6^th minute, Lenoir-Rhyne produced their first shot attempt, which went wide. Possession was back-and-forth for the next 14 minutes, as the next look on goal didn't occur until the 20^th minute, also wide. Following that was pair of shots: one from LMU's Raven Wellington in the 14^th minute, barely over the net, and a shot on goal from the Bears in the 26^th minute, saved by goalkeeper Emma Cooke for her first save of the match. The Railsplitters were able to get the ball across the field into their attacking third, which led to Jade Brown getting a shot attempt in the 27^th minute, high. Minutes later in the 29^th and 31^st minute, Cooke saved two L-R shots on goal. The Bears continued to push on the offensive end as three shots were fired off: one in the 33^rd minute, high, and two blocked shots on the 36^th minute. Lenoir-Rhyne attempted a last-minute equalizer in the 43^rd minute but was saved by Cooke. With that, the two teams entered halftime with Lincoln Memorial in the lead 1-0.

In the first, LMU had shot off three shots, with one being on goal, four saves, and faced nine shots.

The Bears continued their momentum from the end of the first as they attempted a shot two minutes in the second, high, followed by LMU's first attempt at goal in the second half in the 53^rd minute, also high. Cooke recorded her first save of the half in the 54^th minute with  an L-R shot on goal. Lenoir-Rhyne equalized the score in the 64^th minute to make the score 1-1. The Bears kept the pressure on Cooke as they produced a shot in the 64^th minute, saved, followed by a shot off target in the 69^th minute. In the same minute, the Bears gave themselves the lead with a goal in the 69^th minute to make the score 1-2. The next scoring chance that L-R got, they took advantage of as they put another goal on the scoreboard in the 74^th minute to make the score 1-3. The Railsplitters were able to get the ball into their attacking third as they fired off two shots in the 75^th minute: the first by Sophia Berglund, saved, and the second by van der Zalm, blocked. Each team created one more chance on goal as Paige Branam took a shot in the 87^th minute, high, and the Bears took a shot in the 88^th minute, also high. With that being the last chances for either team, Lincoln Memorial took their first SAC loss of the season to Lenoir-Rhyne 1-3.

Van der Zalm recorded the lone goal for the Railsplitters, and Filsner tallied the assist. Van der Zalm led the team in shots with two and van der Zalm and Berglund recorded team-high one shot on goal. Cooke played all 90 minutes in goal and registered six saves.

As a team, Lincoln Memorial recorded seven shots, with two being on goal, one corner kick, six saves, and faced 17 shots.

With the loss, Lincoln Memorial falls to 2-1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Lenoir-Rhyne moves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

The Railsplitters look to bounce back next week as they face another non conference opponent on Wednesday, September 17^th in Dahlonega, GA as they face the University of North Georgia at 3 pm.