HIGHLIGHTS (YouTube)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Last season, The Citadel women's soccer team set a new bar by winning the first three games of the season, something no Bulldog soccer team before them had done. Sunday afternoon, the 2017 squad set another new bar by becoming the first Citadel soccer team to win four of their first five games with a 3-2 victory over Presbyterian at Washington Light Infantry (WLI) Field.

Before Sunday, the best record through five games for a Citadel soccer team was 3-2, accomplished by both the 2016 and 2014 teams. Now, that record is 4-1.

Nearly 10 minutes passed by in the game before either team was able to get a shot off, but once the Bulldogs started to find creases and make runs, it was only a matter of time before a goal would come.

Senior Tinslee Dilday was the player to break the scoreless tie in the 22^nd minute, taking a feed from freshman Maria Contreras while slipping past a defender and scoring for the second time this season.

Dilday's day wasn't done with that goal. In the 54^th minute, Dilday raced up the far sideline with the ball and put a perfectly-placed cross into the box for transfer Cierra Skyers to finish off, putting The Citadel (4-1) up 2-0.

Graduate transfer defender Georgia Robert finished off the Bulldogs' scoring with her first goal of the season in the 75^th minute as she put a free kick into the net, slipping it in just under the crossbar from about 35 yards out.

The insurance goal from Robert proved to be the game-winner as things got dicey in the final three minutes of regulation with Presbyterian (2-2) scoring two quick goals in under a minute.

With a renewed sense of urgency, both teams picked up the pace as Presbyterian hoped to find an equalizer while The Citadel looking to maintain or stretch the lead back out. Ultimately, the home-standing Bulldogs prevailed as the final horn sounded after several attempts at a throw in on the far side of the field were batted away, keeping the ball well away from either goal.

The Citadel was led in its attack by Dilday with three points off her goal and assist and two points each from Skyers and Robert. Freshman Hannah Roth finished the game with three shots, two of which were on goal, while Robert and Skyers each took two shots.

Freshman Kaeley Johnston (4-1) picked up her fourth win of the season, playing all 90 minutes in goal for the Bulldogs while making two saves. On the other side of the field, reigning Big South Conference Defender of the Week Alyssa Leaman was saddled with her second loss in three days as she gave up the first two goals despite making three saves in just over 69 minutes of play. Abby Jones came on for the final 20:33 to close out the game.

The Citadel, which is starting the season off with seven straight home games, has two final games remaining at WLI Field in the current opening stretch. Next weekend, the Bulldogs will welcome Delaware State to Charleston on Friday, Sept. 8, for a 3 p.m. match before Alabama State comes to town on Sunday, Sept. 10. The game against Alabama State will feature a 1 p.m. kickoff.

For more information on The Citadel soccer team, follow @CitadelWSoccer or visit CitadelSports.com.