McKenzie, Tenn. – Women's soccer was on the road Thursday night in what would prove to be a touch matchup against Bethel (Tenn.). The Bears went into the final 44 minutes of play locked at 2-2, before Bethel would net three goals in the second half to take the win.

Paintsville native Lauren Johnson found success in her third appearance of the season, netting het first goal of the season in the first half. Carley Groh fired her second goal of the season in the second half. Cacia Larsen facilitated both scores for the Bears, raising her assist total to three on the season.

Goalkeeping was shared duty for Elizabeth Lukens and Millicent Conod, the latter taking over in the second half. Lukens finished with eight saves in the contest to total 56 on the season, recording eight or more saves in four of six matches this season.
Conod warded off a trio of challenges from the Wildcats in the second half.

Bethel took less than four minutes to strike first, scoring with 3:32 played after their first shot was saved by Lukens. After a pair of shots for the Bears, Johnson connected in the 35^th minute on a feed from Larsen to tie the game at 1-1. The Bears held the Wildcats scoreless for the remainder of the period, behind three saves from Lukens.

Groh gave the Bears momentum to start the second half, giving the Bears a 2-1 lead with her second goal of the season. A pair of Cacia Larsen corners followed as the Bears maintained offensive pressure. After Conod saved a Bethel shot in the 48^th minute, Ariel Herter put a shot on frame which would've extended the Bears' lead to two goals.

The teams battled back and forth until the 55' when Bethel tied the came before taking a 3-2 lead less than a minute later. Bethel added their final goal in the 60^th minute, finishing their offensive surge. The Bears managed one more shot in the contest, from Groh in the 80^th minute.

The Bears return to the pitch on Saturday, September 24^th for a 4:00 PM matchup on the road against Freed-Hardeman.