Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania women's soccer team poured on the pressure in a 1-0 victory over the Maryville College Scots at Pat Deacon Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
The Pioneers begin their 2021 campaign with a 1-0-0 overall record while Scots drop to 0-1-0 on the year.
 
From the opening kick, the Pioneers were relentless as they created two chances within the opening five minutes of the contest. Emilie Yates found a hole in the defense, but her close-range effort was thwarted by challenge from a Maryville defender. In the fifth minute, a curling effort from Abby Baker was denied by the post as Transylvania surged.
 
The Scots' goalkeeper had her hands full as she parried away efforts from Yates, Audrey Rawls, and Brooke Puterbaugh while the game passed the half-hour mark.
 
The breakthrough came in the 35^th minute as Baker raced past her defender and slotted a pass through the Maryville defense that found Mackenzie Buckler at the top of the penalty area. The sophomore delivered a first-time effort that perfectly chipped the goalkeeper and vaulted the Pioneers in front at 1-0.
 
The opening goal of the 2021 season was also the first goal for Buckler as a Pioneer.
 
Transy keeper Morgan Patton saw a flurry of shots from the Scots in the closing minutes of the half but remained steadfast in goal up to the halftime whistle.
 
The second half of action shifted to a more balanced affair from both teams. Both goalkeepers remained alert as both sides stayed on the attack. The Scots tallied five shots on goal which were all saved by Patton. The Pioneers dominated possession of the ball to run out the clock and earn their first win of the season.
 
The Pioneers will look to continue their winning ways in a neutral site clash against the Sewanee Tigers at Schueler Field on the campus of Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. 
 
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