NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 5, Bethel 0

Records: Life U, 1-0; Bethel, 0-1

MARIETTA, Ga. - The top-ranked Life U women's soccer team rolled past Bethel University (Tenn.) 5-0 Thursday afternoon in the season opener with a dominant home performance on a beautiful day in Marietta.

Four different Running Eagles netted goals as Life U scored in the opening minutes of the second half and never looked back in the home opener victory.

Junior standout Lilja Bjorg Olafsdottir delivered the game-winner, coming in just the 47th minute while freshmen Alessia Buompane and Odalis Tapia added goals to remove all doubt. With the Wildcats continuing to take shots on goal, the Running Eagles were still able to tack on two more goals coming from Olafsdottir and Sacha Millward

Overall, Life U enjoyed a 15-7 shot advantage and controlled possession throughout.

For the first half, the Running Eagles and Wildcats battled it out causing a scoreless first half with freshman Justine Candel keeping Bethel off the board with two saves.  

Just two minutes into the second half, Life U put pressure on the Wildcats with Olafsdottir finding a clear pathway to goal pushing the Running Eagles to a 1-0 lead. 

Then, just under two minutes later, a perfect short cross from sophomore Sara Diaz found the foot of Buompane, who delivered a rocket right into the net for the Running Eagles' first career goal. 

While the Wildcats tried to keep the ball in their possession, it did not last long, as Life U tacked on its third goal as Tapia added a goal giving the freshman their first career goal too. 

The Running Eagles were not finished yet. Quickly after the third goal, Life U was fouled right in front of the goal allowing Olafsdottir to have a chance for a penalty kick that eventually gave the junior their second goal of the evening.  The Running Eagle quickly celebrated then two minutes later found Millward for the final goal of the game to give Life U their first win of the 2024 season. 

Up next, Life U will travel to Bryan College (Tenn.) to take on their first away match this Saturday August 17 at 1 p.m.

TURNING POINT:

- Lilja Bjorg Olafsdottir scored in the first two minutes of the second half to remove all doubt for the Wildcats.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

- Buompane and Tapia both scored their first career goals as Running Eagles.

- Diaz ended the evening with two assists and a shot on goal.

- Candel collected a shutout by tallying three saves.