Lexington, Ky. –The Transylvania women's soccer team used relentless pressure on both sides of the field to earn a 2-0 victory over the Manchester University Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Pat Deacon Stadium.
 
The dominant performance pushes the Pioneers to a 2-0 overall record as well as 2-0 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play. The Lions drop to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in HCAC contests.
 
The Pioneers jumped into action quickly as close-range shots from Rachel Green and a follow-up attempt from Meredith Campbell were miraculously saved by the Manchester goalkeeper. The constant attack signified an emerging theme throughout the match.
 
Transylvania found its breakthrough as the Pioneers followed a Manchester attack with a master class in the counterattack. Abby Baker took control of the clearance near midfield, speeding past multiple defenders as she slotted her solo effort home to give Transylvania a 1-0 advantage in the 33^rd minute.
 
Baker and Ainsley Bender nearly doubled the lead just before halftime with two close-range attempts, but the Pioneers held their 1-0 advantage into the break, with a dominant 16-1 shot advantage and a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Entering the second half, Transylvania kept its foot on the throttle by winning a corner kick five minutes into the frame. Manchester failed to provide a clearance and Bender punished the mistake.
 
After a mad scramble, the ball fell to Bender 30 yards from the net, and the freshman defender unleashed a wonder strike that soared over the opposing goalkeeper, doubling the Pioneers advantage at 2-0.
 
Countless opportunities followed for the Pioneers as they continued to fire shots from every direction. Transylvania finished the game by doubling its first half production to achieve a staggering 32 shots, 18 of which came on goal.
 
The Pioneers will look to continue their winning ways in a fixture on the road against the Hanover Panthers on March 10^th at Alumni Stadium at a time to be announced.
 
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