WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Soccer overcame early adversity to win their season opener 3-1 over in-state rival Northeastern State.

A goal within the first four minutes from the Riverhawks put them in pole-position, but the Bulldogs responded with three unanswered goals of their own to seal the victory. 

Freshman forward Launa Torrez opened up this season's scoresheet for SWOSU with a first half header to tie it up before halftime. Another header, this time from Junior midfielder Juliana Rocha, gave the Bulldogs the lead, and then Freshman midfielder Anna Bager sent an absolute rocket into the net from way way outside the box put the game out of reach and help the Bulldogs start their season off with a bang. 

Sophomore forward Brianna Benitez, last season's assists leader, also played an influential part in helping SWOSU turn the tide, contributing assists on both the game tying and go-ahead goals. 

Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Hughes had a great game in goal with a career high ten saves and a number of important interventions on Northeastern State corners and crosses to keep the Riverhawk goal count at just one. 

Head Coach Mark Persson will be pleased with his team, and especially the performance of newcomers Anna Bager and Launa Torrez for bagging goals in their debut for the Bulldogs. 

Persson and company will not have long to bask in the glow of their victory, as the Bulldogs are back in action on September 4th at 11:00 am against Central Missouri at the SWOSU Athletic Complex.