LUNDIN NETS TWO; HIGHLANDERS 2ND HALF RALLY AT ETSU FALLS SHORT

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Freshman Jordan Lundin scored a pair of second half goals, but Radford fell short in a comeback bid at ETSU, 3-2 on the first day of the NCAA women's soccer season, Friday evening at Summers-Taylor Stadium.

Lundin's first two collegiate goals cut Radford's deficit to one on two separate occasions, but an upper 90 post in 80th minute and a couple of late equalizing attempts (0-1) that went awry denied the comeback bid.

"It was an exciting game," said head coach Ben Sohrabi, who is beginning his 19th season at the helm of the Highlanders. "I thought we had a gritty second half and really saw some players step up and show some real character. There were definitely more positives than negatives and we will keep improving."

ETSU's Simona Koren opened the contest's scoring in the 25th minute. Following a blocked shot, Molly Collinson sent in a service that Koren settled and finished near post. Hannah Short doubled the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half.

The Highlanders generated six shots in the first half with Hannah Thomas recording the lone one on target.

Lundin got Radford back into the contest just 22 seconds into the second half. Taking a pass from freshman Tori Donahue, she took a few dribbles down the right side and rocketed a shot into the side netting, cutting ETSU's lead to 2-1.

In the 60th minute, ETSU had an opportunity to go up 3-1, but freshman keeper Katie McCormick denied Cecilia Re's penalty kick. However, the Bucs took advantage of a friendly bounce of the crossbar to grab their second two-goal lead, 3-1, in the 64th.

Radford was awarded a penalty kick on an ETSU handball and Lundin calmly slotted her attempt into the back of the net, making it 3-2 with just over 12 minutes to play.

The Highlanders best chance to even the contest came less than two minutes later when Donahue came very close to tallying the equalizer, but her far post attempt clanged off the iron.

Both teams recorded 14 shots with Lundin leading all players on the pitch with four. McCormick finished with three saves.

Radford returns to actionfor its season opener next Friday, Aug. 29 when it hosts Villanova at 7:00 p.m.

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