Friday, August 26, 2011
by Sydney Poe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After starting the season by tying their home opener in double overtime against Arkansas State, and then losing a close one to Central Arkansas the Lady Bisons needed something to propel them into the weekend as they headed into three away games. They got just the boost they needed Friday night, knocking off Nicholls State in a 3-1 slugfest.

The Lady Bisons got the scoring started early when junior Courtney Williams snuck one past the goalie with an assist from senior Kirsten Heikkinen at the 10-minute mark of the first half.

With a tough defensive front the Lady Bisons kept their offense going and brought the score to 2-0 with a goal by senior Meghan McGuire in the games 26th minute Minutes the Lady Bisons mass-substituted five playerse, Nicholls State avoided a shutout and brought the score to 2-1 with a goal into the lower right corner by Alexandra Marino in the 29th minute.

The game was hotly contested and very physical, with Lipscomb juniors Kameron Stilwell (53rd minute) and Katie Wood (68th minute) drawing the ire of the referee and earning yellow cards.

With defense controlling both sides for much of the second half Heikkinen provided the insurance the Lady Bisons needed. With an assist from freshman Baylee Linnell, Heikkinen scored with a low cross to the opposite side of the box.

That last goal by Heikkinen sealed the Lady Bisons first win of the season as they prepare to face UT Martin, Sunday, in the first road test of the season.

With the victory against Nicholls State, the Lady Bisons win their first game since September 12, 2010 when they defeated Citadel 3-0. That match was also the last time the Lady Bisons scored three goals in one game.

Erin Zerio also became two saves closer to passing Bethany Copeland for fourth all-time saves; Zerio now has 155 stops in her career.

Lipscomb will hit the road for an extended stretch, with games at Martin, UT Chattanooga and Jackon State and then a tournament in Southern Miss before returning to Nashville Thursday, Sept. 15 to host Austin Peay.