Dalton Christopher
Assistant Athletic Director - Communications and Media
dchristopher@transy.edu

LEXINGTON, KY - Transylvania University Women's Soccer opened their season with a 3-1 victory over Wittenberg at Pat Deacon Stadium on Sunday. The initial season opener against Covenant on Friday was canceled due to lightning and weather in the area. 

The afternoon kick-off proved to be a competitive one, with both teams called for fouls early in the match. Transy would find their first goal of the season at the 09:24 mark of the first half with Maddi Benjamin scoring first for the Pioneers. Tara Pund's shot was deflected by of Wittenberg keeper Elizabeth Wile. Benjamin rushed forward and found the scoring opportunity to give Transy an early 1-0 lead. 

Into the second half, a yellow card was shown to Wittenberg's Chamberlain Browning early in the half.Transylvania's Ellie Held, assisted by Jaimye Cottongim, would score at the 69:24 mark to take a 2-0 lead for the Pioneers. Wittenberg would respond with Sarah Deaton, assisted by Mackenzie Hessick, scoring their first goal of the afternoon at the 79:55 mark. Wittenberg began to attempt the comeback to tie with a second goal, but minutes later Eva Blanke, assisted by Delayla Batanovic, would score Transy's final goal of the afternoon at the 86:36 mark to secure the 3-1 victory for the Pioneers. Transylvania's Teagan Fahy was shown the yellow card at the 88:36 mark.

Head Coach Ashley Reinecke was happy to earn the victory in the season opener, but has already pinpointed areas for the team to improve.

"It's always great to start the season with a win," Reinecke said. "There were moments of the game that we did not shine so brightly, lots of areas for us to improve and we will get after it in training tomorrow."

Transylvania Women's Soccer returns to action next Saturday, September 7th at Trine University in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.