The Lipscomb women’s soccer team defeated the Austin Peay State Governors by a score of 2-0 in front of a home crowd of over 150 fans.
One goal in each half was sufficient for the Bisons to earn their second victory in their first two matches this season after beating Mississippi State on Thursday. Redshirt freshman Kale’a Perry scored the opener in the 27th minute for Lipscomb, while Cami Rogers helped secure the result in the 64th minute with a goal of her own.
The Bisons held firm control of possession across both halves, sticking to a familiar style of midfield pressure that stifled Austin Peay throughout. Junior and Auburn transfer Cami Rogers as well as Roswell, Georgia-born redshirt freshman Evee Reeder were instrumental in that effort for Lipscomb. They stifled the middle of the park and created opportunities going the other way for the Bisons to get forward. Even with the loss of fellow center midfielder Kelli Beiler to injury within five minutes, the central midfield partnership of Rogers and Reeder was more than enough to set the tone and allow the home side to dominate.
Despite the reassuring performance of those two, however, Beiler’s injury is still a major concern for Lipscomb. The junior from Mount Pleasant Mills, Pennsylvania led the team with nine goals while playing 1,000 minutes for Lipscomb last year. Her injury appeared to be serious, as she was unable to leave the pitch on her own power with what appeared to be an issue with her lower leg.
In the attack, it was a similar story for the Bisons, as they outshot the Governors 26-3. Nine of Lipscomb’s 26 shots were on target, forcing senior Governors goalkeeper Peyton Powell into seven saves. Redshirt freshman Haley Williams, a striker from St. Simons Island, Georgia, produced the most shots on the day with six. Williams replaced sophomore Molly Grant at striker after Grant moved into midfield to help fill the hole left by Beiler.
On a day where the apparent temperature (also known as the “feels like” temperature) reached triple digits, 23 players saw action for Lipscomb and 22 appeared for Austin Peay. Only sophomore defender Logan McFadden and sophomore goalkeeper CJ Graham went the full 90 minutes for the home side.
With the victory, Lipscomb improves to 2-0 after a pair of non-conference home matches, while Austin Peay drops to 0-2 on the season after two straight losses by a 2-0 scoreline. The Bisons have a weekend in South Florida up next, as they face the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday followed by Florida International in Miami on Sunday afternoon.
Photo via Lipscomb Athletics