LEXINGTON, Ky. - Confidence was Transylvania women's soccer's side Tuesday night, as the Pioneers unleashed an attack against a competitive Wittenberg team for a 3-2 win.

"We played very well today," said Head Coach Michael Fulton. "Our composure and work rate was better this game and I was happy to see us play with more confidence."

The night saw three Pioneer goals, one each by junior Alyssa Kruse and senior Amy Ghibaudy, as well as the first career-goal for freshman Charlotte Pruet.

The matchup started off slowly for the Pioneer offense, as Wittenberg took several shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of game play. Realizing the need for a strategy change, Coach Fulton tried a different offensive approach, which he believed was a turning point in the match.

"We changed our system about 15 minutes into the game," said Coach Fulton. "After the change we were having more success with the ball and creating more opportunities with our attack."

Within 15 minutes, the change worked, resulting in the first goal of the match, netted by Kruse at the 31-minute mark. The Pioneers defended well during the remainder of the half, sending the team into halftime with a slim 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers picked up the pace in the second half, seeing several early looks on the Tiger's goal. However, it was Wittenberg's Michelle Brunswick that inflicted damage, nailing a goal at the 66-minute mark to tie the game, 1-1.

The remaining 20 minutes saw an offensive attack by the Pioneers, as they dominated the Tiger's red zone, taking strong shots that narrowly missed the Wittenberg net.

But, it was freshman Pruet who gave the Pioneers a leg up in the 69th-minute. After beating a Wittenberg defender one-on-one off a pass from sohpomore Erin Miller, she passed the fallen Wittenberg goalie, to make her first career-goal, and putting the team up 2-1.

The last goal of the night came off the foot of Ghibaudy, who nailed an impressive 30-yard bullet into the top of the net off a pass from senior Abby Felthaus. The shot sailed past the outstretched arms of Wittenberg goalkeeper Kelsey Lorko for a 3-1 lead.

The goal gave Transylvania a two-point cushion, but not for long. With 13 seconds remaining in regulation, Wittenberg forward Mary Clare Yerke headed in a last-second goal, but the Tigers couldn't mount a comeback, falling 3-2 to the Pioneers.

Four Pioneers took shots on goal on the night, including Ghibaudy (2), Kruse (1), Pruet (1), and senior Michelle Schroeck (1).

Coach Fulton noted that several players stood out in the match, particularly Kruse, Pruet, and senior Carley Williams.

"Alyssa Kruse scored our first goal and I think it gave us some energy we didn't have in the beginning," said Coach Fulton. "Charlotte Pruet played well and her impact lasted throughout the entire game. Carley Williams also played well and her hard work helped create the opportunity for the first goal."

The biggest improvement in play on the night was from freshman Meredith Murphy, according to Coach Fulton, who "played with more confidence and was able to be more productive throughout the game."

But, confidence was the key when it came to pulling out the win.

"Our success was due to us playing with more confidence," said Coach Fulton. "it is good to see us with this much confidence going into conference play."

The Pioneers take the field this weekend, beginning Heartland Conference play at Anderson University at 1 p.m.