GREENWOOD - The Lander women's soccer team used a second-half own goal to tie and Kendall Couch fired in the game winner in the 71st minute Thursday night in the Lady Bearcats' 3-2 season-opening, non-conference victory over Wingate University.
Sophomore Nina Morales gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead at 24:21 on an assisted goal from 20 yards out on the right side.
Wingate bounced back to tie the game at 1-1 at 36:34 when Hannah Holsclaw headed the ball in off an inbounds pass from Carson Williams.
The Lady Bulldogs took their only lead of the game at 2-1 on AJ Lightbody's chip shot over the goalie's head from 10 yards out at 55:57.
Lander tied the game at 2-2 at 66:19 when the ball ricocheted off a Wingate player for an own goal.
Couch's winning shot came after racing up the right side of the field and firing a shot from 10 yards out at 71:43.
Lander's Chelsea Beetch earned the victory in goal with two saves, while Wingate's Miriam Boucher suffered the loss.
Wingate outshot the Bearcats, 17-7, and led in corner kicks, 3-2.
