HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Taylor Rios scored the only goal for Lenoir-Rhyne University in the final 13 seconds of overtime on Thursday, lifting the Bears to a season-opening 1-0 victory over nationally ranked Limestone in women’s soccer.
Rios, from Vale, perfectly headed in a corner kick from junior midfielder Abbie Brown with 12.5 seconds as the Bears knocked off the Saints, ranked No. 21 in NCAA Division II at the Moretz Sports-Athletic Complex.
The Bears (1-0) outshot Limestone 23-9 and 13 of those shots were on goal.
Rios’ goal came on the 11th corner kick of the match, and Brown had a match-high 10 shots attempted (six on goal).
Goalkeeper Veronica Smeltzer had 12 saves for Limestone.
LRU senior Alayna Morris saved a few well-placed shots as well and finished with seven saves.
The Bears travel to USC Aiken on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match.