MOUNT OLIVE – After a dominating offensive performance the UNC Pembroke women's soccer team open its 2012 season with a shutout victory, 5-0, over nonconference rival Mt. Olive Thursday evening at Amon field.

UNCP's (1-0-0) victory over Mt. Olive (0-1-0) will mark the ninth straight season that Lars Anderssons' team opens with a win. "It was a typical regular season opener; we showed a lot of first real game jitters in the first 45 minutes," said Coach Andersson. "We were very fortunate and scored a goal right before halftime… and then deep in the second half we looked much better, we had much better shape in the attack and we played with a lot more pace." 

Senior Rebecca Womack scored the first goal of the second half when she took the ball from the goalkeeper for an open net to put the Black and Gold up 2-0. Later in the second half, freshman Rae-Shawna Campbell scored the first goal of her collegiate career with an assist from Andrea Collen. Just under two minutes passed before senior Fanny Forsman scored the fourth goal for UNCP on a penalty kick. The explosive second half continued when Elke Groothius, with an assist from Frankie Berscak, scored in the 82nd minute of play with a header in the box.

The Lady Braves were aggressive in the first 45 minutes of play posting seven shots to Mt. Olive's two. Right before the half ended sophomore Amalia Arvidsson put UNCP on the board scoring the night's first goal. Arvidsson broke free of a defender and found the net in the 44th minute of play to give the Lady Braves' the 1-0 lead going into the half.

Junior goalkeeper Britney Bennett played a perfect 90 minutes in the goal recording two saves for UNCP.

There were five players who attempted to find the net for the Trojans, while Caroline Edenhofner picked up one save in the goal. 

The Lady Braves will open their 2012 home campaign Wednesday when they take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at 5 p.m. at Varsity Grounds. Admission to all 2012 home soccer matches is free.