CHARLESTON, S.C. - Three Citadel players scored goals, and the Bulldogs held on despite a late scare to down South Carolina State 3-2 in women's soccer action on Friday at WLI Field.

The Citadel is 2-1 on the young season and improved to 11-0-1 all-time against SC State, which dropped to 1-2. The Bulldogs continue their four-game homestand on Sunday at noon against NJIT.

The Bulldogs led 2-1 at halftime and built a two-goal margin in the 55th minute when Ana Mesa took a pass from Karina Schneider, faked her way past the defense and beat SC State goalkeeper Haley Austin in the lower right corner of the net.

It appeared the Mesa insurance goal would be more than enough for The Citadel until SC State scored in unusual fashion with just 1:55 remaining. Bulldog keeper Naomi Carter was unable to gain firm control of the ball, and Naydeen Cabalo was able to score on the loose ball to cut the SC State deficit to one.

But The Citadel was able to maintain control of the ball the rest of the way, and SC State did not mount another significant challenge. Carter finished with four saves.

"Despite the close score we were excited to get the win," said Bulldog defender and co-captain Grace Raines. "We played hard and are looking forward to building on the momentum we gained today as we move forward."

The Bulldogs jumped out in front in the 21st minute when freshman Mady Riegel scored her first collegiate goal, taking a long lead pass from Kim Maldonado and beating SC State's starting goalkeeper Katelyn Kern on a one-on-one move.

It took only 16 seconds for SC State to tie it on Cabalo's first goal of the game, and The Ctadel jumped back in front when Schneider scored off an assist by Vanessa Aponte in the 35th minute. Aponte increased her career assist total to 16, the most in school history and second among active Southern Conference players.

The Bulldogs held a 15-11 advantage in shots led by Schneider with four. The Citadel also had the only two corner kicks of the game, but its aggressive offense also resulted in a total of 11 offsides infractions.