CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel women's soccer team came back from a 1-0 deficit as a pair of goals by Ariana Paez helped the Bulldogs to a 2-1 season opening win.

How It Happened:
30'   – AVL took the lead just over halfway through the first 45 as a shot from the right wing found the top left corner.
33' – CIT goalkeeper Zoe Santos kept her team within one as an AVL attacker got loose in the box but was turned away with a kick save by the Bulldogs sophomore.
44' – Some shaky goalkeeping got CIT even right before the break as Paez pestered the AVL keeper who turned it over deep inside the 18' before Paez nudged it across the goal line.
62' – Ellie Belcher deked out a defender down the far side before her perfect cross into the box found a running Paez, who finished it in the top left corner to give CIT the 2-1 edge.
80' – AVL's shot missed wide before an ensuing corner kick was unable to produce a shot as CIT shut down the visitors in the final 10 minutes to secure the win.

Inside the Numbers:

• Paez's two tallies almost eclipsed her three from all of last season as she led CIT with nine assists.
• Santos earned her first win in just her fifth appearance and the first start of her young career.
• A pair of newcomers in Charlotte Seay (freshman) and Eryn Tufts (grad transfer) played full 90s on The Citadel backline.

Next Up:

The Bulldogs continue a three-match homestand to start the season as they welcome Winthrop to WLI Field on Sunday at 2 pm.