BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Rhodes women's soccer defeated conference rival Birmingham Southern College by a score of 5-3 on Saturday afternoon in the opening weekend of the Southern Athletic Association.
 
The win brings the Lynx to 9-2 overall, and 1-0 in conference play. The Panthers fell to 3-6 on the season, with an 0-1 conference record. 
 
The Lynx controlled possession the first half and after 13 minutes were rewarded for their hard work when Hannah Selner's strike from just outside the 18-yard box hit the back of the net, earning Rhodes a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Selner was involved again when her well-timed pass put Junior Kelsey Keown through one-on-one with the keeper. Keown's composed finish into the bottom corner saw the Lynx double their lead. At the 18th minute mark, Rhodes scored again when Kelsey Sweeney headed in an inch-perfect Heidi Press corner kick. With only ten seconds left in the half, Lauren Albright broke through the Panthers' defense and found freshman forward Elise Grisoni who passed the ball into the net as the buzzer went off, making the first-half score 4-0.
 
The Lynx carried their energy into the second half, but the Panthers were not going to accept defeat easily. 14 minutes after the restart, Selner earned her second goal of the game when she headed home Angie Hurlow's flighted cross, making the score 5-0 for the Lynx. Birmingham Southern answered immediately after Selner's goal with a goal from Jessie Sperry, who finished a ball from Bailey Kimbell. Sperry scored her second goal two minutes later, making the score 5-2. With four minutes left to play, the Panthers were awarded at penalty kick after Nicole Newton was brought down in the box. Kimbell converted the penalty kick to make the final score 5-3. 
 
Selner's two goals brought her tally to 10, making her the joint-top goal scorer in the SAA.
 
Allison Cowling played all 90 minutes in goal for the Lynx, and made 4 saves.
 
The Lynx will be back in action on Tuesday, October 8 against Christian Brothers University in Memphis at 6 p.m.