The Charlotte 49ers women’s soccer team (1-0) opened up the 2014 season with a 1-0 road win against the UNC Greensboro Spartans (0-1). The 49ers gained the upper hand in the all-time series against the Spartans as they are now 4-3 against each other.

Both squads fought valiantly on the defensive side of the ball throughout the game. In the first half, the Spartans took seven shots. 49ers goalkeeper Annika McHenry logged four saves on the evening with three of them coming in the first half.

The second half would ultimately be the 49ers turn to gain the advantage offensively. After just producing three shots in the first half, the 49ers came out of the second half firing away as they took a total of seven shots.

 The contest seemed destined to go into overtime as shot after shot missed their targets against wonderful defense from both squads. The 80 minute mark is where the 49ers notched their first goal of the season from freshman Martha Thomas. Sophomore Rebecca Beatty picked up the first assist of her collegiate career while setting up the deciding goal.

 Thomas showed her aggressive nature on the pitch by tallying five of the 49ers 10 shots.

49ers Head Coach John Cullen plans to keep the celebration on the 1-0 victory short and sweet as they prepare for their next matchup.

 “It was a delight for the team, delight for the players, and a delight for the program that we got our first [win] of the season and hopefully now we can enjoy this for a couple hours and start to focus on next weeks games and hopefully build some more momentum,” said Cullen.

The 49ers will play their second game of a five-game road trip on Friday Aug. 29 against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.