LIMESTONE WOMEN’S SOCCER DRAWS IN SEASON OPENER

GAFFNEY, S.C.— The Limestone College women’s soccer team opened its season with a 1-1 draw against North Georgia College & State University on Thursday afternoon at Saints Field. Despite dominating the attack as it outshot the visitors 16-6, Limestone couldn’t find the back of the net for the win. Freshman Bekki Hagarman (Tallahassee, Fla.) scored the home team’s lone goal.

 Both teams battled through 110 minutes to begin their seasons with 0-0-1 records.

North Georgia put the first point on the board in the 33rd minute. Following a corner kick, there was a scramble in the box. Limestone goalkeeper Liz Eichhorn (Fort Collins, Colo.) was caught off guard as Lauren Cappy (Suwanee, Ga.) scored to give NGCSU the 1-0 lead heading into the half. The home team had five shots to the visitors' three.

"We came out a little sluggish and a little off in the first 45 minutes and gave up a tough goal that we should have avoided," pointed out Limestone head coach Benji Walton.

During the second period, Limestone outshot NGCSU 8-2. The hosts equalized with 20 minutes left to play. After a ball was crossed into the box, Limestone’s Alexis Brothers (Charleston, S.C.) headed the ball which was won by Hagarman who headed the ball past North Georgia goalkeeper Leigha Terry (Snellville, Ga.) While Limestone dominated overtime with three shots to North Georgia's one, the game ended in a tie.

"We started playing the game after halftime," said Walton. "In the second half and overtime we had the better of the play."

Eichhorn recorded four saves for Limestone while NGCSU’s Mary Canon-Williams (Hot Springs, Ark.) and Terry combined for seven saves.

"Now we know we need to work on finishing and fine tuning things," continued Walton. "Today's game gives us something to build off of going into Saturday."

The Lady Saints hosts Emmanuel College (NAIA) on Saturday, August 26 at 2 p.m. at Saints Field. The men’s team will play Emmanuel at 4 p.m. Limestone is also hosting a free youth soccer clinic for children ages 5-14 at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning at Saints Field on Limestone’s campus. Call Eric Alsop, Limestone Head Men’s Soccer Coach, at (864) 488-4584 for more information.

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