BETHANY, W. Va. – The Franciscan women's soccer team used a pair of well-earned second-half goals to earn their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory over Bethany, Wednesday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half, head coach Clare McBane told her team "that the long ball isn't going to score. It's following up that is going to score" during the halftime talk and the team listened and adjusted.

Just over six minutes into the second half, Megan Luiso took three of her six shots in the game all in a row, the first was saved by the goalie and her rebound shot was block. Luiso was able to collect yet another rebound and was able to finish over the diving keeper to give Franciscan a 1-0 lead.

"To watch them hear something and then do it, tells you that they want to grow," continued Coach McBane. "I mean you can coach them to do anything but if they listen, you won't get anywhere. The coaching can be the same, but it's all the players' heart. It's how determined they are, and the fierceness of them on the field that makes the difference."

The Lady Barons kept the offensive pressure high and build significant scoring chances. The hard work paid off once again as junior Elizabeth Dawyot missed a goal by inches as her shot deflected off of the post then the crossbar. Freshman Kaitrin O'Leary was there to collect the rebound and shot the ball over the goalie's hands to push Franciscan's lead to 2-0 with 11 minutes to play.

"Kaitrin is a true forward," remarked Coach McBane. "She sees the goals, she wants the goal, she runs to the goal. That is the best way to describe her. I think this won't be the last we see of Kaitrin."

Bethany was able to get one of the goals back off a header from a free kick at the 82:56 mark, but the Lady Barons remained hungry and continued to look for chances until the last whistle. O'Leary got a shot off that just barely grazed the crossbar and came back into play. Dawyot got a foot on the deflection but her shot went just wide. The Lady Barons sandwiched a pair of corner kicks around Dawyot's final shot of the game but couldn't get anything to go in. Though they didn't score, the Lady Barons were able to control the play and deny any more scoring chances for the Bison.

Leading in the middle and directing traffic were Dawyot, freshman Beth Flanagan, and Rachel Stines. This season is the first season the three of them are playing together in the center and have been able to dominate there and control the play and speed of the ball.

"I am most pleased and impressed with that center three," complimented Coach McBane. "I feel like everyone had good games but they were the reason we controlled the play, they were the reason that had the builds and balls to follow up on and finish."

McBane went on to praise the depth on the bench as she remarked that "that play not only stayed the same but at certain moments it increased" as they were able to rotate in the second and third string after the top three for a complete team win.

Junior keeper Sarah Luebking needed just one save in the win while the Lady Barons out-shot Bethany 18-6 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Franciscan returns to action after a short break on Friday as the Lady Barons head to Thiel for a 5:30 pm game.