Davidson, N.C. – Stephanie Piperno scored two goals early in the second half to help Davidson pull away for a 3-0 victory over The Citadel in a Southern Conference women's soccer game Thursday night.

The Bulldogs dropped to 3-7-2 overall and 1-4 in the SoCon. The Wildcats improved to 4-7-3 and 3-2 in league play.

Ruth Leiva led The Citadel with five shots, including four on goal. Naomi Carter added to her conference lead in saves with 11 while second place Rachel Locke had five for Davidson, which held a 24-11 advantage in shots and took eight corner kicks to three for the Bulldogs.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the game when Sarah Tuggle scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season on just Davidson's second shot of the contest. Carter kept The Citadel close with four saves in a span of just over two minutes later in the first half.

The Bulldogs had both of their shots in the opening 45 minutes by Leiva and Ana Mesa saved by Locke.

Piperno, who assisted on the Tuggle goal, then struck for her two goals shortly after intermission. Tuggle assisted on the first one at the 49:46 mark, and Piperno dribbled through the defense for an unassisted goal just two minutes later to give Davidson a 3-0 lead.

The Citadel had an opportunity to get on the board late in the game. A shot by Nicholle Griffith hit off the post, tries by Lea Raedle and Leiva were blocked and a Kim Maldonado shot was saved by backup goalkeeper Renae Cairns.

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they host defending Southern Conference tournament champion Georgia Southern at WLI Field.

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