LISLE, IL - The Benedictine University women's soccer team opened the year by rallying to a win over visiting North Park on Friday afternoon.

FINAL SCORE
Benedictine 2, North Park 1

THE DETAILS
• Benedictine produced a chance right off the opening kickoff when a shot from Abbie Graham was stopped and led to an early corner kick
• Chances the remainder of the opening 45 were slim for both sides
• The first half did not see a goal
• North Park took advantage of an early chance in the second half, lobbing home the first goal from 25 yards out in the 49th minute
• The pace of the match made a drastic turn around the 70th minute
• Graham raced all the way down the field and drew a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick
• The first goal of the season tied the game on the PK at the 71:20 mark
• Benedictine kept pressing and produced a counter attack that led to the deciding goal in the 81st minute when Stephanie Nichols played a long ball through to Sabie Ramirez, who scored from 20 yards out
• Cassidy Henson made five saves in goal while Graham put five shots on target
• Both teams finished with 11 shots
• The win marked the first of his career for head coach Kyle Stewart

FROM THE COACH
"I am really pleased with how we performed today against a good North Park side, especially after conceding an early goal in the second half," first year head coach Kyle Stewart said. "It was great to see this team's resiliency to find a way to come back and win."

UP NEXT
Benedictine (1-0) hosts Beloit College on Sunday