Banner Elk, NC – The Lincoln Memorial women's soccer team opens the season with a win against the Lees-McRae Bobcats 3-2.

The first 10 minutes of the match were quiet, as neither team was able to create a shot or earn a corner kick. Despite that, possession was juggled back-and-forth as both teams attempted to secure the lead. LMU was able to push into the attacking third in the 12^th- 15^th minute as they earned back-to-back corner kicks, followed by a pair of shot attempts by Viktoria Filsner and Paige Branam, shot high and blocked respectively.  Lincoln Memorial continued to keep the ball in their offensive third, as Filsner was able to cross the ball from the 18-yard box and connect to Branam header over the keeper to give the Railsplitters the lead 1-0 in the 19^th minute. Lees-McRae had their first chance to score as the Bobcats had their first shot attempt of the match in the 24^th minute, which gave goalkeeper Emma Cooke her first save of the evening. The possession shifted between the two teams for the remainder of the half, as the teams went into halftime with LMU with the advantage 1-0.

Going into halftime, Lincoln Memorial led in all categories as the Railsplitters led in corner kicks 2-0, out shot Lees-McRae 3-1, recorded more saves 1-0, and upped the Bobcats in goals and assists with one each.

For the first ten minutes of the half, both teams were able to get the ball into their respective attacking thirds but were unable to produce any scoring opportunities. The first offensive chance by either team came from Lees-McRae in the 53^rd minute, saved by Cooke. Minutes later in the 56^th minute, Branam slots in her second goal for the Railsplitters off a Filsner corner kick to extend their lead 2-0, which also gives Filsner her second assist of the night. The Bobcats respond to the LMU goal by producing a shot in the 62^nd minute, saved by Cooke. The next ten minutes were quiet, until Edie Wilds recorded a shot wide in the 72^nd minute. In the 73^rd minute, Lees-McRae was able to travel the length of the field and net in their first goal of the match by Tansey to split LMU's lead in half 2-1. There was no more action until the 79^th minute, where Cooke makes a save off of a Bobcat shot, followed by a Lees-McRae goal by Tansey to tie up the match 2-2. Lincoln Memorial was able to bounce back and respond as Branam records the hat trick with her goal of the night with a shot low and center past the keeper in the 84^th minute to give the Railsplitters the lead once again 3-2. LMU attempts some last-minute opportunities as Filsner slots a shot on goal, saved by the Bobcat goalkeeper, but is able to stay strong defensively the last minutes of the game to give LMU the win over the Bobcats 3-2.

Branam lead in almost all categories for the Railsplitters, as she recorded team high four shots, three shots on goal, and three goals. Filsner follows her, leading in assists with two, while also recording two shots with one on goal. Edie Wilds finishes up the offensive stats with one shot. Cooke played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded four saves.

As a team, Lincoln Memorial out shot the Bobcats 7-6, earned more corners (4-1), and tallied four saves compared to Lees-McRae's one save.

With the win, the Railsplitters improve to 1-0 on the season.

LMU looks to continue the upward momentum in a couple of days on Sunday, September 7^th as they make the trip to Chattanooga, TN to face Georgia College at 3 pm.