DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University women's soccer team suffered a 3-1 loss at the hands of N.C. Wesleyan College on Sept. 29 on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell stadium as part of Homecoming weekend.

Sophomore Emily Meador scored a goal late in the first half for the Cougars to tie the game at 1 going into halftime, but the Battling Bishops scored two goals in the second half to pull away and seal the deal late in the game. Averett (2-8, 0-1 USA South) outshot the Battling Bishops 7-3 in the first half, but N.C. Wesleyan (3-3-1, 1-0 USA South) controlled possession in the second half and outshot the Cougars, 10-6, to close out the latter half.

N.C. Wesleyan got on the board quickly as Cydney Nichols crossed it to Sarah Cook, who finished for the goal in the second minute of the game. The teams went back and forth with the ball for much of the half until the 37th minute of the game, when Meador got a hold of the loose ball in the goalie box and sliced through the defense to score her first goal of the season.

The second half was a different story as Maggie Rankin scored two goals for the Battling Bishops in the 47th and 59th minutes of the game to give N.C. Wesleyan a 3-1 lead. Cook's strong game for N.C. Wesleyan continued, as she assisted on both second half goals in addition to her first half score. The Cougars got a handful of good looks in the remaining 30 minutes, but couldn't quite capitalize to pull the game back within striking distance.

Senior Eimear Reddin led the team with four shots and two shots on goal, while Meador and freshman Thania Hernandez each tallied three shots and two shots on goal apiece.
Next, Averett faces Salem College at home on Wednesday at 4 p.m. for its second conference game of the season.