NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Behind five different goal scorers and three assists from defender Lillie Tabor, Belmont University women's soccer defeated UIC, 5-2, Sunday afternoon from E.S. Rose Park to open Missouri Valley Conference play.
The five-goal outing represents Belmont's biggest scoring day in the conference match since defeating Jacksonville State, 5-1, Oct. 11, 2013.
 
Belmont controlled possession to start the match, mounting a flurry of attacks and pressuring UIC to open conference play. 

Tabor got off to a phenomenal start carrying momentum over from her performance last week. Tabor was all over the pitch, dominating the defensive third and even commanded a pair of attacking runs for the Bruins.

She took a free kick for Belmont in the 27th minute, playing it perfectly into the box for Kaitlyn Elliot who put the ball on a pedestal allowing Reagan Ross to jump up and head it in to put the Bruins in front, 1-0.

Tabor lined up again to take a free kick just shy of midfield in the 45th minute and this time she played it into the box to Anna Samuel who chipped it over keeper Sidney Lazenby to give Belmont a 2-0 lead entering the second half.

The Bruins came out of the break looking to start right where they left off. Getting their first chance of the second half in the form of a corner kick taken by Tabor, who again placed a beautiful ball into the box. Maggie Gawrych climbed the ladder to head it in and put Belmont up 3-0 in the 49th minute.
 
Not ready to let up just yet, Makira Churchill dispossessed a UIC player and went on an extraordinary 80-yard run before hammering home a blast from outaide the box to extend the margin to 4-0.

After a UIC response, Meredith Koltz delivered a memorable individual effort, with a pinpoint right-footed shot inside the far post to make the score 5-1 in the 72^nd minute.

The depth of Belmont's bench played a huge role in closing out the match as several subs late in the game helped the Bruins battle the Nashville heat.

The Bruins dominated on both ends of pitch out shooting UIC 15-10.

With the win, Belmont extends its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches.

The Bruins (2-3-4) return to action Sunday, Oct. 27 against Northern Iowa. Match time is set for 1 p.m. CT from UNI Soccer Field. The match will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

Follow Belmont women's soccer on social media - @BelmontWSoccer on X, @belmontwsoccer on Instagram and @belmontWsoccer on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.