WEST POINT, Ga. - Faulkner (1-1-1) faced a 3-1 halftime deficit but came back with three second half goals to pick up a 4-3 victory over Bryan (0-2) Thursday afternoon at River Bowl Stadium for
Jon Ireland's first win of his second tenure at Faulkner.
Bryan struck first in the 15th minute before
Brooke Parker beat two defenders and the goalkeeper at the near post with a corner straight in for an olimpico to tie the match 1-1 in the 18th.
Goals less than 50 seconds apart in the 28th and 29th minutes put Bryan ahead 3-1 going into the half and completed a hat trick from Lions striker Ruth Cook.
Faulkner made some adjustments and came out firing.
Sydney Steele picked out
Cassie Jackson in the 54th minute where the senior took her marker on one-on-one before lacing a right-footed rocket into the top bins from 25 yards out for her second goal in as many matches.
Just two minutes later,
Abbie Lower tackled near the touchline and started a counter attack through
Sammy Thiele who found Jackson at midfield. Jackson took a one-touch pass to
Ellie McKay who played a perfect ball through for Steele. The freshman raced towards the goal and squared to Parker who took a great touch to take the defender out of the play before rolling the ball past the keeper and in to tie the match at three apiece.
The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when
DeAireal Williams dribbled past her marker and crossed from the right wing to
Chloe Cooper who trapped and slid home a point-blank chance to give the Lady Eagles their first lead of the day 4-3.
The defense set the tone for the comeback, allowing just one off-target shot in the final 60 minutes.
The Lady Eagles outshot the Lions 27-6 with an 11-4 on-target advantage.
The win marked Ireland's 11th win at Faulkner after picking up 10 in 2006.
Faulkner next faces Columbia International (1-0) Saturday at 10 a.m. at River Bowl Stadium.
