WEST POINT, Ga. — The University of Tennessee Southern women's soccer team opened Southern States Athletic Conference play with a 3-1 victory over Point on Thursday afternoon at River Bowl Stadium.
The Firehawks improved to 2-1-1 overall and 1-0 in SSAC action behind a two-goal performance from freshman Skyler Montgomery and a dominant effort on both ends of the pitch.
UT Southern wasted little time finding the scoreboard. In the 15th minute, Luella Cramer delivered a pass to Montgomery, who finished her first goal of the season to give the Firehawks a 1-0 lead.
The hosts responded just over a minute later to even the score at 1-1, but UT Southern quickly answered. In the 19th minute, Ashanti Lewis found Montgomery, who buried her second goal of the afternoon to restore the Firehawks' advantage at 2-1.
The Firehawks carried that lead into halftime and continued to control play throughout the second half. UT Southern generated chance after chance, outshooting Point 23-4 overall and holding a commanding 13-0 edge in corner kicks.
Despite the pressure, the Firehawks were unable to find a third goal for much of the second half. Osiris Rodriguez came close in the 80th minute when her shot struck the crossbar, while several other opportunities narrowly missed the mark.
UT Southern finally secured the result in the closing moments. Following the Firehawks' 13th corner kick of the afternoon, Cramer provided the service and Millie Rayner connected for a goal at the 90:00 mark, extending the lead to 3-1.
Montgomery led the Firehawks with two goals, while Cramer recorded two assists. Rayner added a goal and four shots, and Lewis contributed an assist.
Defensively, UT Southern limited Point to just four shots and two shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Sam De Gier earned the victory and made one save.
The Firehawks return to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, when they travel to Cuthbert, Georgia, to face Andrew College in another SSAC contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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