Box Score CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite controlling the first half of play, the Belmont women's soccer team (2-3) was unable to hold onto its early lead and fell on the road at Austin Peay (4-1) on Sunday afternoon, 2-1.
The Bruins dominated the first half of action on both sides of the ball against the Lady Govs. In the 33rd minute, a corner kick by junior Vanessa Pepin (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) found the waiting head of freshman Taylor Smith (Atlanta, Ga.), who slipped the ball past the APSU goalkeeper for the first goal of the game and her second of the season. BU was able to maintain its momentum throughout the remainder of the stanza and took the one goal lead into the locker room. By the break, the Bruins had outshot the Lady Govs, 5-2, while also holding a 3-0 corner-kick advantage.
But in the second stanza, APSU came out recharged. As the match became more and more physical between the future conference rivals, the Lady Govs began to maintain longer possessions and work towards the goal. Belmont continued attacking the Lady Govs goal but the APSU keeper stood strong, stopping five of six shots on goal down stretch. In the final 20 minutes of regulation, Austin Peay used a penalty kick and a goal to swing momentum in its favor for good to take the contest, 2-1.
Belmont held the advantage in shots, 12-5, and corner kicks, 4-1.
Smith led the Bruins offensively with a game-high four shots. Junior Lauren Paynter (Danville, Ky.) finished with two shots. Sophomore netminder Nicole Berner (Randolph, N.J.) went the distance in goal for the Bruins and finished with one save on the day.
Belmont continues its five-game road stretch, returning to action on Friday, September 9 at Western Kentucky. Match time is set for 6 p.m. and live stats will be available.
