Owensboro, KY – Bears women's soccer are a hard-earned 1-0 after a 4-3 defeat of Brescia in Thursday's season opener. Head Coach Logan Langseth claims his first win with the program, led by freshman Julia Pinson who fired for a pair of goals against the Bearcats.

Thursday marks the first Bears win in a season opener since the 2018 season, and gives the Bears a 3-2 advantage over Brescia in the all-time series.

UPIKE took 20 shots in the contest, placing 11 on frame to take the offensive advantage over Brescia who managed 14 shots.

Bears keeper Elizabeth Lukens guarded the net for three saves, while sophomore Kylie Gollihue commanded the offensive attack with six shots. Goals came by way of Pinson, Gollihue, and Holmes while Cacia Larsen added her first career assist.

Gollihue recorded the first shot of the contest at the 3:07 mark but the Bears would quickly fall behind by a pair of goals from Brescia in quick succession. Holmes answered the call in the 12^th minute, netting the Bears first score of the contest.

Riley Collett fired a shot on goal shortly after as the Bears kept up the offensive pressure, aided along by Amya Webb and Kylie Maynard in the 15^th and 20^th minutes. Martin, Ky. native Pinson tied the game at two with a goal in 27^th minute while the Bears continued to control possession. Pinson struck again in the second half with a Larsen assisted goal in the 52^nd minute which gave the Bears a 3-2 advantage.

Lukens snagged a save in the 74^th minute, followed up by a near miss shot by Gollihue. With less than seven minutes to play, Gollihue connected for her first goal of the season which gave the Bears the 4-2 advantage.

Brescia added one more in the final five minutes but the Bears held out to claim the victory.

UPIKE women's soccer returns to action this Saturday, August 27^th against Bluefield University. Kick-off from Bluefield, Va. is slated for 4:00 PM.