BOX SCORE

Greenwood, S.C.----The Lander University women’s soccer team scored the final two goals of the game, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to defeat the visiting Bulldogs of Wingate University 3-2 in the season opener for both teams Thursday night.
 
After falling behind 25 minutes into the contest, the Bulldogs evened the score with 9:26 remaining in the first half. Senior forward Hannah Holsclaw (Matthews, N.C.) headed home her first goal of the season from a throw in by sophomore defender Carson Williams (Kernersville, N.C.).
 
The game was tied heading into halftime, with Wingate holding an 8-5 advantage in shots in the opening frame. The ‘Dogs also held a 4-0 edge in shots on goal heading into intermission.
 
Wingate took its first lead of the night 10:57 into the second half, with freshman forward AJ Lightbody (Matthews, N.C.) scoring a goal in her collegiate debut to make the score 2-1. She beat the Lander goalie from 10 yards out to give the ‘Dogs the advantage. The game was tied 11 minutes later due to an own goal, knotting the contest at 2-2.
 
Lander took the lead with 19 minutes remaining in the contest when Kendall Couch scored from 10 yards out, making the score 3-2. The Bulldogs would not go quietly, getting five shots off in the final 18 minutes without allowing any from Lander. Wingate had three shots on goal in the final 13 minutes of the contest.
 
The Bulldogs held a 17-7 advantage in shots for the game, including an 11-2 edge in shots on goal. Chelsea Beetch notched nine saves for the Bearcats to preserve the victory.
 
Wingate returns to action Sept. 9, traveling to Georgia College for a 7:30 p.m. start. The first home contest for the Bulldogs is Sept. 19, hosting USC Aiken at 7 p.m.
 
(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)