PEMBROKE – UNCP took a season-opening win against Mount Olive on Thursday with all three goals coming in the second half. Anna Svensson gave UNCP two goals while Rebecca Womack contributed one to give the Lady Braves the advantage late in the game.

Svensson was the first of the Lady Braves (1-0-0) to unleash the ball in the goal with the assist coming from Fanny Forsman. Shortly after, Womack scored on an open goal to put UNCP in the lead. Svensson again took charge and dribbled into the penalty area for a one-on-one with goalie Lyndsey Mcintyre for a shot in the lower right corner of the goal.

 "I was proud of the players because, last season, we didn't come from behind one single game and the athletes showed this is a new season," said UNCP head coach Lars Andersson.  "At halftime, I told the girls they had to decide what kind of team they wanted to be - whether they come back from the first half for a win, or a team that falls apart after being down at the half - and they showed everyone their decision."

The Trojans' (0-1-0) Lindsey Stanley scored with just minutes left in the first half off of a penalty kick, but the UNCP defense didn't allow another goal the rest of the way. Stanley added four shots, with Carlee Bock and Sydney Freilinghause each contributing two shots for the Trojans. Despite all the attempts, Mount Olive was unable to get the ball past the UNCP defense and goalkeeper Britney Bennett.

Bennett had four saves in 90 minutes of action, while McIntyre contributed five saves. UNCP outshot Mount Olive 22-10 with seven shots coming from Svensson and five from Womack.

The Lady Braves will be back in action again on Sunday against the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne (1-0-0). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Varsity Grounds and admission is free.

"Lenoir-Rhyne will be extremely motivated to take the win from us, but we will take some rest before the next game and be ready for the game on Sunday night," Andersson said.