GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Lander University spoiled the season opener for the Tusculum University women’s soccer team on Saturday as the 20th-ranked Bearcats shut out the Pioneers 4-0 at Pioneer Field.
The Bearcats (2-0-0) seized control in the opening half with two goals in an eight-minute span, and tacked on two more goals in the second half against the Pioneers (0-1-0). Lander ended the game with a 17-7 advantage in shots, forcing Tusculum keeper Julia Olsson to make eight saves in her Pioneer debut.
In the 26th minute, defender Kylie Wilson opened the scoring for Lander, finishing a quick sequence from the goal line after a feed from Darcy Ahern and Saige Peterson to make it 1-0 at 25:26.
Lander doubled the advantage at 32:54 when Ellisyn Poland took a pass into the middle from Maddie Leber, and chipped her finish over Olsson for a 2-0 lead at the break.
Lander added breathing room in the second half. Angele Hills made it 3-0 at 52:44, converting an assist from Rylee King. The final goal came at 85:47 for the Bearcats as a corner kick from Emerson Hamilton was deflected into the goal at the near post by a Pioneer defender, resulting in an own goal.
The Bearcats had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks over the Pioneers, while Lander was called for 11 fouls to 10 for Tusculum.
Olsson made four saves in each half for the Pioneers, including two each on Hills and Ahern. Leah Hayes Coen started in goal for Lander and had three saves in 83 minutes, with one stop for Isabella LaMadrid in the final seven minutes.
The Pioneers will head to the road for five straight matches, including a two-game trip to Florida that starts against Rollins on Thursday, Sept. 3 beginning at 7 p.m.
