CHARLESTON, S.C. - Lea Raedle found the net off a rebound in the 63rd minute for the only goal of the game, giving The Citadel a 1-0 victory over USC Upstate in the women's soccer season opener for both teams on Friday at WLI Field.

The Bulldogs won their home opener for the fourth time in the past six seasons and defeated the Spartans for the third time in four all-time meetings.

Despite being outshot 10-8 the Bulldogs had the better of the scoring opportunities. A hard shot by Ana Mesa was thwarted on a diving save by Upstate goalkeeper Ellen Bright in the 16th minute, and Karina Schneider was just high on a shot early in the second half.

The Citadel finally got on the board with 27:15 remaining in the game. Mady Riegel, one of three freshmen in the starting lineup, fired a shot that was saved by Bright in the lower right corner. But Raedle was on the spot to corral the rebound and tuck it past Bright to break the scoreless deadlock.

Raedle picked up where she left off a year ago when she led the Bulldogs with seven assists and also scored five goals for a team-high 17 points and was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

"I thought it was a good game. Everyone was fighting and giving her best," said Raedle. "We worked very hard and wanted to get our first home game and start the season with a win."

Riegel, who was credited with two shots in her collegiate debut, was joined in the starting lineup by fellow first-year players Ray Brown and Shannon Weston. Three more freshmen – Tori Zeltner, Tinslee Dilday and Caroline Cashion – saw extensive action.

Naomi Carter, who led the SoCon with 141 saves last season, stopped four Upstate shots while Bright made five saves. In addition to holding their slim advantage in shots, the Spartans also took eight corner kicks to five for the Bulldogs.

The Citadel hits the road on Sunday for a 6 p.m. game at Coastal Carolina before opening a four-game homestand against South Carolina State next Friday at 4 p.m.