BLUEFIELD, VA. – UPIKE women's soccer has won back-to-back games thanks to the foot of freshman striker Emily Branham, who's 81st minute goal led the Bears to a 1-0 win against Bluefield on Monday.

The Bears seemed to have control of the match from start to finish, dominating possession over the Rams and frequently finding themselves in the attacking third.

Pikeville had a total of seven shots on goal in the contest to Bluefield's three. The shutout also marks the first in freshman goalkeeper Elizabeth Lukens' young collegiate career.

Branham got the Bears on the board much earlier but her shot deflected off the crossbar late in the first half. UPIKE gave BC a tough time in the first half with five shots on goal.

Bluefield shored up the defense in the second half which led to a couple more chances for the Rams throughout the game. BC nearly took the lead halfway through the second half but the crossbar once again played spoiler until Branham knocked home the eventual game winner.

This marks the first time since 2016 that UPIKE had won consecutive games, when the Bears rattled off three wins in a row as part of a 4-1 start.

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UPIKE has a few days to rest before heading south to take on Toccoa Falls College at 1 p.m. Saturday in Toccoa Falls, Georgia.

-UPIKE-