STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan women's soccer team gave their home crowd a lot to cheer about as they overtook Thiel for a 4-2 win in their first home game of the 2016 season.

The Lady Barons did not waste any time and quickly took a 1-0 lead just 18 seconds into the contest. Junior Anna McCarty received a pass from classmate Clare Kennedy who floated the ball over the defense off of the opening possession at the midfield line and placed the ball behind the keeper who came out just a little too far to put FUS up 1-0 with her first goal of the year.

It would not be long before the Tomcats answered and tied the game at 1-1. Kaylee Candela controlled a loose ball in front of the net and shot it into the left corner to even the score 7:14 into the game.

The Lady Baron defense was the star of the show for the rest of the half as they allowed just one other shot, not on net, in the opening 45 minutes. Franciscan possessed the ball well and took advantage of scoring opportunities that came their way.

McCarty gave the Lady Barons a 2-1 lead with less than 10 to play before half time with her second goal of the game and season. The junior received a quick pass from Hannah Doyle and one touched it past the keeper to her right. Though Franciscan got off two more shots before the half time buzzer, the score remained 2-1 at the break.

Kennedy added a goal of her own to give FUS a 3-1 lead 7:20 in the second half. After her original shot was blocked by a Thiel defender, Kennedy collected the loose ball and took advantage of an empty net for her first goal of the game.

Joining McCarty with a multiple-goal game, Kennedy added her second in the 72^nd minute with an unassisted goal after she dribbled the ball in front of the net and found the back of the net to the goalie's right.

Thiel cut the lead in half and brought the score to its final of 4-2 after Cassie Koch shot the ball over the defense and a rare goalie miscue by Sarah Luebking allowed the ball to cross the line for a goal with 3:20 to play in regulation.

Franciscan possessed the ball for much of the remaining time and the Lady Barons walked away with their first win of the year.

Despite the two goals, Luebking and her defense had a great day on the field, limiting Thiel to just four shots for the game, compared to FUS' 22. The Lady Barons held the advantage in corners as well, 4-1.

Franciscan will return to the pitch on Wednesday when the Lady Barons host Bethany (W.Va.) in a non-conference matchup at 3pm.