McKENZIE, Tenn. --- Despite finding themselves in a 2-0 hole early in the first half of play on the road at Bethel (Tenn.) tonight, the Life University women's soccer team bounced back strongly, scoring three unanswered with a game-winning penalty kick in overtime securing its first Mid-South Conference victory of the season 3-2.

The win came at a good time for the Running Eagles (4-6-0, 1-4-0 MSC) after a grueling start to the conference season over a scrappy Bethel (Tenn.) (3-6-0, 1-4-0 MSC) team on the road. Things started shakily for Life U, the Wildcats recording a goal within the first minute of play and following up with another in the 27th minute to extend the deficit to 2-0. Life U would not bow out easily though, Leah McDaid starting the comeback in the 33rd minute. The Running Eagles controlled the game's momentum following McDaid's score, outshooting Bethel 8-1 in the second half, Thora Hreggvidsdottir evening the score at 2-2 late in the period. After regulation ended, it appeared that a second overtime might be necessary, but a Wildcat foul inside the penalty area set up Justine Kuiper with a penalty kick to win the game with 34 seconds left in the first overtime. She shot high, out of the goal keeper's reach, the ball careening off the inside of the cross bar to go in the net and end the contest.

The Running Eagles had three different players record scores during the contest, McDaid, Hreggvidsdottir, and Kuiper all finding the back of the net. Hreggvidsdottir played aggressively, leading all players with six shots, while Kuiper and McDaid had a 1.000 shot on goal percentage with their two shots each.

After a slow start, Life U controlled much of the offensive tempo, leading the Wildcats 16-7 in shots and 7-2 in corner kicks. Bethel (Tenn.) possessed a slight edge in saves with six to the Running Eagle's four, while they also earned more fouls and cards at 11-8 and 3-0, respectively.

The women's soccer team stays on the road in Mid-South Conference play this weekend with a Saturday showdown against Freed-Hardeman at 1 PM.