PULASKI, Tenn. – For the second time in three games, Taylor Samsel found the back of the net twice as the Martin Methodist Women's Soccer team clawed out a 2-1 victory over Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design Sunday afternoon at the East Campus Soccer Complex.

After a back-and-forth opening 20-plus minutes, Samsel cracked open the scoring in the match's 28th minute when she took a pass from Heather Holley just outside the box, turned and rifled a shot that ricocheted off the left post and into the back of the net.

The Bees, who entered Sunday's match receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, answered just three minutes later, however, when Nikki Wittak capitalized on a RedHawk empty net and recorded the equalizer just under 15 minutes before halftime.

With over 40 minutes gone by in the second half, it appeared as if the two clubs might be destined for overtime.

The RedHawks (2-1), however, had no intentions of playing extra time as a pair of seniors combined to help spring Samsel for the match's game-winning goal.

With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, senior Jennifer Loewen sent a pass to Holley, who then slipped a ball into the box that Samsel smashed home with a knuckling shot on the outside of her right foot.

The one-goal edge proved to be enough for the RedHawks as they salted away the game's final few seconds to pick up their second win of the season.

"We are really happy to get a win this afternoon," RedHawks head coach Tyson John said. "Especially coming off a loss at home. We expect to win here at home and we were glad to be able to do that."

Aisling Dyer made three saves in net for the RedHawks to pick up her first career victory in her first-ever start.

Defensively, the RedHawks allowed just seven Bee shots, just three of which came in the second half. The RedHawks meanwhile, took 18 shots on the afternoon – nine of which were on goal.

Four of Samsel's team-high five shots were on target, including her third and fourth goals of the season.

"(Taylor) is a hard worker and a clinical finisher," John said. "I know that we have more goal scorers on this team than just her. It's only just a matter of time until we get them going. We are excited about that."

Holley's pair of assists gave her a team-high three helpers on the year. The senior also had one shot on goal in the victory.

With the win, the RedHawks picked up much-needed momentum heading into a pair of games at the Lindsey Wilson Classic next weekend.

While at the two-day Classic, the RedHawks will meet a pair of teams currently receiving votes in the Top 25 in Westminster (Utah) College and Indiana Wesleyan.

The Friday-Saturday matches are both scheduled for 5 p.m. start in Columbia, Ky.

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