Lions defeated by conference foe Eagles

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Lions dropped their conference opener against visiting Carson-Newman University, 4-1, at the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.  Jackie Rivas scored the lone Mars Hill goal.

Holly Talbut-Smith led the Eagles offense with two goals on the afternoon.  Streaking down the right wing, Smith received a touch pass from Lara Hallgrimsdottir and shot it inside the far post for her first marker of the season six minutes into the contest.

Talbut-Smith added her second goal of the night and season by tapping home a shot that ricocheted off the far post from the foot of Emilee Futrell.  The Eagles led 3-0.

Sandwiched between Talbut-Smith's two tallies, Lara Hallgrimsdottir put Carson-Newman up by two with a heavy shot from twenty yards out, beating Kaitlyn Danglemaier inside the near post early in the second half.

Jackie Rivas would break up the shutout with her first of the season.  A free kick taken by Leah Hairfield resulted in Rivas beating her defender and heading the ball past goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns at the 73' minute mark.

Two late second half goals by Jaidyn Zapf and Sydney Spadafora cemented the Lions fate as they fell to 1-3-1 (0-1 SAC) on the season.  The Eagles remained undefeated, pushing their record to 4-0 (1-0 SAC).

The Lions will look to bounce back when they travel to Catawba Saturday, September 16.  The contest is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.