MARS HILL, N.C. — A first-half goal from Samantha Swinson stood up for a 1-0 victory by Mars Hill University over Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference women’s soccer Saturday night at Meares Stadium.
The start of the match was delayed 90 minutes due to weather, but the Lions (3-3-1, 1-1-1 SAC) were able to limit the Pioneers (1-5-0, 1-1-0 SAC) to five shots on goal in the match. Mars Hill had an overall 17-13 edge in shot attempts, with 10 on target.
Swinson’s goal came at 16:57 off a long cross from Leah Krugh, which she redirected at the near post past Tusculum keeper Julia Olsson for her second goal of the season.
Olsson finished with nine saves for the Pioneers, with five saves in the shutout for Lions keeper Lexie Guy.
Tusculum had a 3-2 edge in corner kicks over Mars Hill, but both of the Lions’ corners came in the final two minutes which prevented the Pioneers from mounting a last-chance effort at the tying goal.
The Pioneers return home to take on Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The Railsplitters lost 1-0 at Newberry on Saturday to drop to 2-2-2 overall and 1-1-0 in SAC play.
