PEMBROKE – A long shot from Julia Nytorp deflected off of the Flagler keeper and gave Sara Lundberg the opportunity to push in the game-winning goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, as the UNC Pembroke women's soccer team defeated the visiting Saints, 2-1, on Saturday evening at Varsity Grounds. 

"It was an exciting game all together. To have a player who called me earlier today and said she was sick score the game winning goal, that's rather exciting. I couldn't be prouder of Sara, and I couldn't be happier for her," said UNCP head coach Lars Andersson.

With the victory, the Lady Braves (5-4-0, 3-2-0 PBC) snap a two-game losing streak and claim their third straight win over Flagler (4-5-1, 1-2-1). UNCP improves to 3-2-0 all-time against the Saints.

Both squads played with a fairly equal offense, Flagler totaled 15 shots and UNCP finished with 14. The Lady Braves were able to just slightly edge the Saints in the shots on goal column, totaling seven shots on goal compared to six from Flagler. Sherrie Gessin tallied a match-high six shots, including two shots on goal.

Between the posts for UNCP Britney Bennett turned in 90:00 minutes and five saves, while Flagler keeper Kaeta Choquette also recorded a complete 90:00 minutes and five saves.

The visitors opened the match with early pressure, as the Saints fired off three-consecutive shots within the first four minutes. UNCP began to control the tempo though, taking four shots in two minutes, including two shots on goal. 

In the 36th minute of action a set piece helped Nytorp put the Black and Gold on the board with her third goal of the season. A rebound off of a direct kick from Savanna Stiles set up the scoring drive for UNCP. The Lady Braves held on to the one-nil advantage through the remainder of the period, taking the lead into intermission.

"We stress set pieces and we were able to put in a rebound off a direct kick from Savanna. That's something we stress in training, and it's obviously good to see it workout out here on the pitch," said Andersson.

Flagler did not waste any time in the second half, answering back ten minutes into the period. Khyla Brangman helped the Saints to tie the match up in the 55th minute. After receiving a pass from Taryn Bates, Brangman chipped the shot over Bennett from 35 yards out. 

With less than two minutes before the final whistle, the Lady Braves rallied as Lundberg's goal in the 89th minute made its way into the back of the net, giving UNCP the Peach Belt Conference victory. 

The Lady Braves return to Varsity Grounds on Wednesday for a PBC match-up with unbeaten Lander (8-0, 4-0). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., admission into all 2013 soccer games is free. 

"Lander is a great team, I'm sure they're no doubt out to avenge what happened last year. They beat us in the regular season, we beat them in the first round of the PBC tournament. They're a well-coached team, they have a lot of experience and they're very talented. We expect it to be a dog fight."