Mars Hill downs Lees-McRae in wild weathered season opener

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's soccer team (1-0) defeated Lees-McRae (0-1) by a score of 1-0 Thursday night inside Meares Stadium.

The game was called due lightning strikes with 18:47 left in the contest.

Bailey Whitehead-Price opened the scoring in the 14th minute, capitalizing off of a Mars Hill corner kick.  With the ball bouncing around the box, Whitehead-Price found the loose ball and buried a shot inside the far post.

Less than two minutes later, a Mars Hill foul inside the box awarded Lees-McRae a penalty kick.  The shot, driving low to the left-hand side, was blocked away by Camryn Miller, preserving the lead.

With just over 17 minutes remaining in the half, back-to-back lightning delays forced the game to be on hold for over an hour.  Once the first half was completed, and moments before the start of the second half, another lightning delay was called.

Lees-McRae pushed the pace in the opening five minutes of the half, but the Lion defense held strong, allowing just one shot on goal.

The win marks Coach Rawcliffe's first as a head coach.

The Lions return to the pitch on Wednesday, August 31 when they take to the road to face Lander.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.