Harrogate, TN – Lincoln Memorial women's soccer opens conference play with a victory over #7 Lenoir-Rhyne 2-1, which is the first time getting a win over a ranked opponent since 2019!
The opening 20 minutes were quiet, as there were only three shots taken by the Bears and one taken by LMU.
Elizabeth Butler got things going for the Railsplitters as she blocked a pass from the Bear backline, leading her to an open net to give Lincoln Memorial the 1-0 lead.
Lincoln Memorial and Lenoir-Rhyne continued to battle, with shots going off by both sides, but the Railsplitters were able to pull through defensively and keep the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
Goalkeeper
Ari Frey began to get tested in the second half, making some key saves to keep the Bears at 0.
In the 72
nd minute, an LMU handball in the 18-yard box gave L-R a penalty kick, which they capitalized on, tying up the match 1-1.
Frey and the Railsplitter backline continued to push through, as the team put their bodies on the line and Frey making key saves to prevent the Bears from scoring.
Lincoln Memorial pushed with one last wave of energy in the 84
th minute, as
Paige Branam takes a shot yards above the 18-yard box, which dings off the lower end of the crossbar out of the goalkeeper's reach to give LMU the lead back 2-1.
As LMU fought to keep the lead the lead for the remaining six minutes and was successful, the Railsplitters defeat ranked #7 Lenoir-Rhyne 2-1.
Butler and Branam earned goals for the Railsplitters, while
Camden Prosser led the team in shots with two. Frey played all 90 minutes in goal and made three crucial saves.
As a team, Lincoln Memorial recorded six shots, with four being on goal, three saves, and had one corner kick on the evening.
With the victory, Lincoln Memorial improves to 2-1-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Lenoir-Rhyne drops to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
The Railsplitters will have a well-deserved week off as their next match will be on Saturday, September 19
th as they travel to Newberry, SC to face Newberry at 2:00 pm.